Safety & Emergency Procedures 

First Responders

Karyn Schutzer, Adapted PE

Deborah “Stephanie” Harrison, Adapted PE

Safe Schools 

Be sure you are very familiar with the contents of our school's Safe Schools Crisis Management Plan right away. These plans are explained in the next sections. 

• Safe School Information Folder 

• Safe Schools Crisis Management Plan [Crisis Plan]

The purpose of this plan is to ensure the safety of all students, employees and visitors to Metro School in the event of a threatening situation. The plan provides for the safe and orderly movement of all persons in response to an identified Level I (on campus) or Levels II or III (off campus) evacuation. The plan also addresses the steps necessary if a "strange package" is located on campus. Everyone must complete and submit the Google Form when finished reading the Crisis Plan.

• • NOTE: Everyone--Staff, Students, Related Service Providers--will be required to wear CMS digital name badges at all times while on campus 

Fire Drill Procedures

State law requires a fire drill be held during the first 5 days of school. The first Fire Drill will be announced. Please prepare your students with a discussion about the importance of fire drills with a social story or adapted book. All other Fire Drills will be unannounced and can come at any time during the school day. 

• • Staff and students will wait for the Fire Drill announcement to be made. 

  • Teachers must present their red/green card to the representative at the exiting door.  

    • Display the Red card if your class is missing a student/staff or their is an issue.  

    • Display the Green card if all students/staff is accounted for.

  • Fire Drill Maps - The "Fire Drill" route map is to remain posted on the wall nearest the door. [this has already been done for you]

  • Fire Evacuation Plan [click to read]  Fire Drills will be conducted every month

  • CMS Fire Safety  [click link to read, you must be signed into the CMS Intranet] you are responsible for knowing and adhering to these practices.

You must read and be familiar with all Safe Schools plans -- put a copy in the CMS Crisis “Grab-n-Go” Bag and include copies in the Substitute Folder

Lockdown Procedures

When you hear the following statement announced over the intercom (repeated 3 times)

"Lockdown! Locks, Lights, Out of Sight! Lockdown! Locks, Lights, Out of Sight!" 

Immediately follow the procedures outlined below: 

Lock Down Procedures (stay in a “locked” room) 

“Shelter in Place”  (stay in your classrooms) 

NOTE: ALL CLASSROOMS and SUPPORT CLASSROOMS will receive a classroom designated CMS bag (orange tag has the Room #)   Please set this up as your “Grab-n-Go” crisis bag.  Teachers are expected to bring the CMS Crisis/Evacuation bag during Fire Drills and Evacuation Drill (should one be needed).

Classroom Safety Procedures

" Rules for Classroom Operations from CMS Property Management" [please click and read]

Frequently Asked Fire Safety Questions [please click and read] 

Tornado Drill Procedures

Procedures during a Tornado Drill:  [click to view] 

1. The Principal will give the Secretary the signal to sound the Tornado Drill warning alert 

2. Teachers will move their students to designated areas—your classroom bathroom—away from windows. LOCK bathroom doors, this prevents the door from opening and flying debris to enter.

3. Once in the designated areas—facing the walls—Teachers and Staff will assist students in assuming the "duck and cover" position with heads down and hands covering the back of their heads 

4. Students in wheelchairs who are capable of leaning forward and covering their heads should do so 

5. Students in wheelchairs unable to protect their heads should have a Staff person lean over them. Staff should lean over the student while covering the back of their own heads 

6. Everyone should remain in the "duck and cover" position until the signal is given ending the drill 

Severe Weather/Early Dismissal

We follow the CMS Severe Weather procedures. Notification will be made on the CMS website, local radio and television stations. In addition, CMS uses current staff telephone contact numbers to send "Connect-Ed" phone calls alerting staff of any cancellations or delayed openings. It is critical that staff keep their contact information updated in Employee Self-Serve. Staff can do this by accessing the on-line CMS Employee Self- Service link using the CMS Intranet page. 

[check CMS website for updates] 

[Weather around Metro] 

Building Security

To increase both personal and building security, the following procedures bear repeating and are strongly recommended

• Do not leave pocketbooks, cell phones, or other personal valuables unattended. 

• When remaining in the building after 3:30 pm, notify the office. 

• When you stay in the building after 3:30 pm and know that you are alone in your hallway, consider closing the locked classroom door. Many classrooms are located far from the Main Office area. Use the wall phone to call the main office or your cellphone to call 911 for assistance in case of an emergency. 

• All visitors are to report to the Main Office to sign in Lobby Guard and receive a nametag. If a stranger is seen in the building not wearing a nametag or CMS ID badge, please direct him/her to the Main Office to sign in. You should also call the Main Office to let them know you are sending the stranger to sign in. If you need immediate assistance, call for an Administrator or Campus Security Associate (CSA). 

• Be familiar with and fully prepared to immediately implement our school's "Lock Down" and “Shelter in Place” procedures when announced.

• NEVER prop open any of the exterior doors.  ALWAYS make certain you hear the door "click" as it closes behind you. You should also push/tug on the door handle to make certain that it is locked behind you. If you ever find a door that does not close and/or lock properly, please call the main office to immediately report it.