Social Media/ Emergency Procedures

COMMUNICATION TOOLS

The main communication tool at Journey Elementary is the ClassDojo app. Teachers communicate almost exclusively through Dojo to parents’ smartphones. This is how classroom newsletters, reminders, and individual messages are sent home. You can also see your child’s behavior management throughout the day with the Dojo point system. (If you do not have a phone capable of downloading apps, or a phone at all, please work with your teacher at the beginning of the year to set up an alternative communication plan.) Information about how to login to Dojo and join your students class will be sent out at the beginning of the school year. If you have any problems with the app please contact the classroom teacher. 

The school/district may also utilize texting services and the district call system to communicate with parents about daily attendance and to send out important reminders. The school may also communicate via Dojo and the schools Facebook page about any upcoming events and/or reminders as they arise.   Please check with your child’s teacher for information about items sent each week.  Formal progress reports may be sent between quarters. Grades may also be checked using a Parent Portal account. For more information about the Parent Portal, please call the Infinite Campus office at 253-5306.

SOCIAL MEDIA

As staff, students and parents at Journey Elementary, we agree to:

1. Follow the same guidelines for respectful, responsible behavior online that I am expected to follow offline.

2. Go directly to the person involved to resolve an issue, rather than posting about it online.

3. Encourage positive, constructive discussion if allowed to use communicative or collaborative technologies.

4. Alert a teacher or administrator if I see threatening/bullying, inappropriate, or harmful content (images, messages, posts) online.

5. Be cautious to protect the safety of myself and others.

6. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using social media.

As staff, students and parents at Journey Elementary, we WILL NOT:

1. Use social media in a way that could be personally or physically harmful to myself or others.

2. Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful conduct toward others–staff, students or other parents.

3. Try to find ways to circumvent the school’s safety measures and filtering tools.

4. Use language online that would be unacceptable in the classroom.

5. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using social media.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND SECURITY OF THE BUILDING

An emergency drill will be held at least once each month, with at least 5 drills per year being fire drills.  Each drill will be treated as if it were an actual emergency situation, which is potentially a life and death matter.  Although speed is important in any such procedure, orderliness and the ability of the students to follow directions is even more important. Our drills are designed to encourage problem solving, not just preparedness; a real emergency requires both.

Building Security 

We are all concerned with the safety of the children in our school building. In this respect, there are several items we would like to call to your attention:

1. The building is regularly and frequently inspected for safety hazards.

2. At least once each month we have an emergency drill, including fire and A.L.I.C.E. drills.

3. All secondary entrances will be locked at all times. The main entrance on Hickory Street will be kept locked when school is in session. All visitors must sign in and receive a visitor badge in the office before they will be allowed into the main building by office personnel. This policy is not designed to make it difficult for you; it is for the safety of your children and our staff.

A.L.I.C.E.

A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training will be given to students at the beginning of the school year to teach them how to respond in the event of an intruder. The training is tailored to be age appropriate (PK-2 differs from grades 3-5) in order to prepare students without scaring them. Our school will practice an A.L.I.C.E. drill 4 times per school year.