All classrooms at the Heights Learning Center have exterior entry doors. These doors are always locked, with staff members retaining keys for entry. There is fencing surrounding campus, with gates at all entry points. All staff have and are required to maintain constant access to radio communication with other staff members in the building. Camas Community Preschool office staff is always on site, with the ability for secure entry into the front office.
The school participates in monthly, school-wide safety drill rehearsals. All staff are provided with training for handling various school emergency situations with student safety as our #1 priority. Systems are in place to account for the location of each and every student during an emergency. Should an actual emergency occur, parents need to be aware that the school phone system could be overburdened with calls. We will utilize the district emergency phone calling system,emails, and our voicemail to provide timely information to parents. Parents who come on campus to try and retrieve their student during a school emergency situation need to be aware that a parent staging area will be set up where families will be required to report. Students will be released to parents/guardians in an orderly fashion once the immediate threat has passed. Parents wishing more information about school safety plans/procedures are welcome to call and speak with our school administrators, Mary Weishaar and Katie Maffucci.
In the event of an alarm, students are to proceed out of doors following methods prescribed during regular evacuation practice. Any volunteer or parent in the building at the time of a school alarm, must also exit the building during these times.
In the event of an earthquake, students should respond in the drop, cover and hold method as prescribed during regular earthquake drills. Students en route to school or home should stay away from power lines and proceed to their destination.
The school will practice drills that lock down the school at various times throughout the school year. Lockdowns are identified as being two types. An internal lock down is the most serious where all students are either brought into secured areas with lights are turned off in an effort to avoid detection. When hiding, students are expected to be quiet, and staff will keep students out of sight and away from windows. Staff may also select that leaving the school campus away from danger is the safest move when there is an internal threat. An external lockdown is a cautious procedure where movement inside the building is allowed, but outside doors are locked and students are not allowed outside.