Safety and Security

Common Terminology

SCHOOL SAFETY

Providing a safe learning environment is the district’s top priority. As a proactive step, each school has developed safety and crisis response procedures.

Throughout the school year, schools will conduct practice drills during the school day to ensure that all persons are familiar with their roles and responsibilities. Additionally, all schools have identified secondary sites and reunification (student pickup) procedures in case it becomes necessary to evacuate school premises. If a safety situation occurs, the district may utilize Skylert, the district website www.anahuacisd.net, AISD social media accounts, and local television and radio stations to communicate information to parents.

In order to alleviate any confusion regarding the terminology used during these emergency events, the following definitions have been included.

SHELTER, WEATHER ONLY

This procedure may be implemented when weather conditions exist that may place school or schools in immediate danger. The following steps will occur:

Students and staff will be sheltered inside buildings away from outside windows or doors
Buildings will be open for entry only
No one may exit until the “ALL CLEAR” is given

When the “ALL CLEAR” is given, normal activities may resume activities or a parent/student reunification (student pickup) process may be initiated.

SHELTER (for a hazard)

This procedure may be implemented when a situation other than weather may be a hazard

It is safer to keep the students inside the building rather than expose them to possible harm by allowing them to leave the building; therefore;

All windows and doors will be locked
The air conditioning system may be shut down
Parents may not be able to pick up children from school

Once the “ALL CLEAR” is given, students and teachers will return to their regular activities or a parent/student reunification (student pickup) program may be initiated. If a school is sheltering in place, parents should also shelter in place at home.

SECURE

When a campus is notified of a potential threat outside of district facilities, the following will take place:

All students and staff will be moved into the main building if it is safe to do so
Students and staff will continue "business as usual" inside campus facilities
All doors and windows will be locked
No one will be permitted to exit or enter the building and doors will be monitored by staff
Parents may not be permitted to pick up their children from school depending on the situation

Once the “ALL CLEAR” is given by proper authority, students and staff may return to normal activities.

LOCKDOWN (LOCKS, LIGHTS, OUT OF SIGHT)

This procedure is only initiated when an intruder enters the premises of a campus and poses an imminent danger to students and staff.

All doors, windows, and classrooms will be locked
Students and teachers will remain in their classrooms
No one will be allowed to enter or leave the building
Parents will not be allowed to pick up children from school
Local authorities will provide assistance, if needed

Once the “ALL CLEAR” is given, students and teachers will return to their regular activities or the parent/student reunification (student pickup) process will go into effect.

EVACUATE (TO A LOCATION)

Evacuate is called to move students and staff from one location to another.

Students and teachers will leave to a designated evacuation site
No one will be allowed to enter the building
Local authorities will provide assistance, if needed

Once the “ALL CLEAR” is given, students and teachers will return the building and to their regular activities or the parent/student reunification (student pickup) process will go into effect.

REUNIFICATION/CHILD PICK-UP

In the event that a decision has been made that a school must be evacuated and emergency personnel report that the danger or threat has passed, and the area is safe for children and parents, reunification procedures will be initiated. The district/school will identify the locations, time, and checkout process for parents to pick up children. The district website will be one of the tools used to communicate instructions with parents. AISD social media accounts will also be used.