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Reunification is the process used to reunite families with students in an emergency
Reunification is the process used to reunite families with students in an emergency
Events may occur at a school that require parents/legal guardians to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release.
Reunification may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, hazardous materials, or if a crisis occurs at a school.
The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved.
Reunification is not a typical end of school day event; a reunification may occur at a different location than the school a student attends, including an off campus location.
If this location is another school, then those students may be subject to a controlled release as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How will I be notified of a Reunification event?
A. Notifications will generally be via SIS message to parents/legal guardians (email, text, call), but may also be via the district website, social media, or local television stations and news outlets, depending on the number of schools impacted. In some cases, students may be asked to send a text message to their parents. A reunification text message from a student may look something like this: “The school has closed, please pick me up at 3:25 at the main entrance. Bring your ID.”
Q. What do I need to bring to the Reunification location?
A. First, bring identification. That will streamline things during reunification. Second, be patient. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent/legal guardian.
Q. What if a parent/legal guardian can’t pick up their student?
A. When a parent/legal guardian can’t immediately go to the reunification site, students will only be released to individuals previously identified as a student’s emergency contact. Otherwise, the school will hold students until a parent/legal guardian or previously identified emergency contact can pick up their student. Note that high school students cannot pick up younger siblings.
Q. What if the student drove to school?
A. There may be instances where a student may not be allowed to remove a vehicle from the parking lot. In this case, parents/legal guardians are advised to recover the student. In some circumstances, high school students may be released on their own.
Q. What will the experience be like for students?
A. For students, the school asks that students be orderly and quiet while waiting. Students may be asked to text a message to their parents/legal guardians. Students are also asked not to send other text messages either in or out of the school or reunification area. Keeping the cellular network usage at a minimum may be important during a reunification.
Q. What will the experience be like for parents/legal guardians?
A. When driving to the school or reunification location, greater awareness of traffic and emergency vehicles is advised. Parents/legal guardians should park where indicated and not abandon vehicles. Parents/legal guardians are asked to go to the Reunification “Check In” area and form lines based on the first letter of their student’s last name. While in line, parents/legal guardians are asked to fill out a reunification card. In the case of multiple students being reunified, a separate card needs to be completed for each student.
Q. What happens during Parent/Legal Guardian “Check In”?
A. Be sure to bring a photo id. Identification and custody rights are confirmed. From the “Check In” area parents/legal guardians are directed to the “Reunification” area. A runner will go to the Student Holding Station to recover the student or students. Parents/legal guardians should be aware that in some cases, they may be invited into the building for further information.
Q. Will there be law enforcement on site?
A. In some cases, parents/legal guardians may be advised that a law enforcement investigation is underway and may be advised that interviews are necessary. In extreme cases, parents/legal guardians may be pulled aside for emergency or medical information.
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