Safety and Security

A comprehensive, all-hazards, emergency preparedness and response plan can be found in Navigate360 This site contains the School Emergency Response Guide, School Level Plans, training courses for staff, documentation of drills and other resources.  The School Emergency Response Guide provides a framework of definitions, responses, roles and responsibilities for a multitude of emergency situations.  It is the responsibility of every staff member to understand the Response Guide and participate in required training.

Included here is an overview of some of the more common emergency situations you may encounter.  This is not a comprehensive listing and the Navigate360  should be referenced for more information.    

Schools are generally considered simple, stable environments with predictable routines.

While the incidence of unforeseen disturbances or emergencies in most schools is relatively low, school staff must be prepared for a variety of situations requiring their urgent attention.

Establishing proper nomenclature for announcing emergency directives supports shared understanding among school staff and students, and will aid response efforts by first responders.

Evacuation: all students and staff exit the building(s), moving quietly and quickly to the campus reunification point.

Reverse evacuation: (enacted when students are outside) all students and staff return to the building(s) and await further instruction.

Lockdown: all exterior campus doors are locked, restricting egress to and from campus.

Shelter in Place: student and staff movement within campus is restricted;

In its publication, Practical Information on Crisis Planning: a Guide for Schools and Communities, the Department of Education acknowledges the challenge that exists in defining a crisis: ‘The definition of a crisis varies with the unique needs, resources, and assets of a school and community’ (p. 10). Defining crisis can be achieved through responding in the affirmative to the following questions:

1. Is there an imminent risk of physical or emotional harm to an individual or group?

2. Is there an imminent threat to school operations?

3. Is outside support from law enforcement or emergency medical support necessary*?

Calls to 911 from school-based telephones must state the school address; the school’s telephone system operates from a remote connection at the school district office.

The school principal or designee is responsible for initiating crisis management plan procedures, including establishing communication with emergency support agencies, and for initiating the chains of communication with internal as well as external stakeholders. Emergency communication with public safety agencies must be promptly established to enable the professional support of first responders. In the event a call to 911 must be made by a member of staff, the front desk must be notified immediately. 

• School staff must be accessible and regularly informed throughout a crisis event. The following methods of communication will be used, as appropriate, in times of emergency:

• Two-way radio: all staff members are assigned a designated radio and charging device. Radios must be fully charged, turned on, and set to channel one when staff and students are on campus. All members of staff shall refrain from unnecessary communication on the radio.  Radios are used to communicate matters of urgency.  Student names should not be spoken whenever possible.  Channel 2 is used to communicate with the school nurse and, during dismissal - to call students to the front carline.

• Office/Classroom telephone: Internal paging across campus and throughout the district is done by dialing staff extension numbers. All school telephones have campus extensions listed directly on the device, and a copy of district extensions must be kept beside school telephones. External calls require pressing ‘9’ to dial a local line first or ‘8’ and then ‘1’ for long-distance numbers. Calls to 911 from school-based telephones must state the school address; the school’s telephone system operates from a remote connection at the school district office.

• SMS messaging via the Blackboard application requires adding the cellular telephone numbers of each staff member to the school’s host account. Participants will receive group announcements and updates.

Accurate and timely dissemination of information to families of students and staff by the principal or designee is a priority. School employees will refrain from contacting families about any crisis situation unless consent has been granted by the school principal or designee. The following methods of communication will be used, as appropriate, in times of emergency:

Mass notification system ‘FOCUS’ and ‘Blackboard Connect’ applications: the school principal or designee will record and schedule calls to parents/guardians and immediate family of school employees.

Electronic mail: messages sent to multiple recipients must be sent blind carbon copy. Electronic written communication must comply with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) law.

School website, school blog, and social media platform: require the end user to have access to a device connected to the internet. The school principal or designee must first approve school-wide announcements and updates. 

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials. 

The school will ensure to adequately promote the use of FortifyFL, the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool operated by the State of Florida. The Principal will ensure that there is a link on the School’s website, that at least two newsletters per year will make reference to the service, poster will be made available on the community bulletin board. In addition, the application will be installed on all mobile devices issued to students, and the site will be bookmarked on all computer devices issued to students.

If necessary, a media staging area will be designated to protect the privacy of students and staff. Throughout a crisis event, the school principal or designee is the sole point of contact for announcements or updates made to members of the media. School employees will refrain from commenting on incidents and will direct all media communication to the school principal or designee. Members of school staff will receive a media communication briefing by the school principal or designee after the crisis event to ensure message consistency. 

SCS is committed to the safety of its employees, vendors, contractors, and the public and to providing a clear safety goal for management. 

Every employee is responsible for preventing accidents. It is also their duty to accept and promote the established safety regulations and procedures. Every effort will be made to provide adequate safety training. If an employee is ever in doubt about how to perform a job or task safely, assistance should be requested. Unsafe conditions must be reported immediately.

It is the policy of the SCS that accident prevention shall be considered of primary importance in all phases of operation and administration. SCS’s administration is required to provide safe and healthy working conditions for all employees and to establish and use safe practices at all times. 

Failure to comply with or enforce the Organization’s safety and health rules, practices and procedures could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. 

Accident/Incident Reporting

It is the duty of every employee to immediately, or as soon as is practical, report any accident or injury occurring during work or on SCS’s premises so that arrangements can be made for medical or first aid treatment, as well as for investigation and follow-up purposes.

Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to enact evacuation procedures, to protect the safety of students and school staff. The crisis planning team must establish safe reunification points on campus as well as off-site prior to the onset of the crisis event, and ensure staff and students have the opportunity to practice evacuation procedures. Special consideration for students with disabilities may require alternate evacuation and transportation options and must be approved by the school principal or designee in advance. Once families receive notice of off-site evacuation proceedings, the crisis planning team will enact parent-student reunification procedures. School staff must maintain documentation of students dismissed from reunification points. 

The Principal shall review options for a mobile panic alert system and ensure that the system is installed, and that appropriate members are trained on the use of the system.  The Principal will work with emergency services, approved by the Florida Department of Education, to ensure the system is set up and operating appropriately.

Additionally, SCS will use Intrado as the Alyssa's Alert provider.  Staff will be trained on the use of this app at the beginning of the school year.

Fire drills are conducted monthly. These drills are mandatory and are conducted without advance notice.  Fire drill routes shall  be posted at  all exits.  All equipment including the fire extinguishers, alarm system, exit signs and emergency lighting are checked on an annual basis by the Fire Department, MCSD building inspector and alarm company.  Proof of these reviews can be found on the actual equipment. All employees are required to acquaint themselves with emergency procedures.

1. 1. Preparation

      • Familiarize yourself with the fire drill route and determine the rally point for each class or building you enter.

      • A class roster for drill attendance should always travel with the class (ie. lunch, specials, etc.) The roster should be marked with the day’s attendance.

      • A red/green card should always travel with the class to indicate missing students

   2. At the sound of the alarm, 

      • Gather all students in your care

      • Check for fire or other danger outside before opening the door

      • Exit calmly and quietly to the rally point designated on the fire drill routes for the room you are exiting. Young students should walk with arms crossed across their chests.

      • Leave ALL belongings behind.  Staff members should have their cell phones on their person.

      • Make sure all children have exited the classroom.  Turn off the lights and shut the door.

      • Walk with students to the CLOSEST rally point.

      • Line students up facing away from the buildings. 

      • Make sure the staff member with the class clipboard is closest to the Rally Leader, for easy line of sight

      • Take accurate attendance and communicate status to ‘the person with the walkie’ as follows:

        • Green card held high to indicate all students on your roster are with you

        • Red cards are held high to indicate that one or more students on your roster is not with you.  Rally point leaders will ask for student names and contact other rally points to find those students.

      • Staff members who are not attached to students at the time should quietly stand near the Rally Leader to be easily recognized.

All fires must be reported immediately.  Fire emergency numbers will be called and the location given of fire.  All employees must know the location of the fire extinguishers and pull stations. Tampering with fire extinguishers or pull stations is forbidden.  Fire extinguishers, fire alarms or fire exits must not be blocked by supplies at any time. Open flames are prohibited in any area where flammable materials are used or stored.  

Instructional staff should review procedures with students, emphasizing the importance of not tampering with extinguishers or pull stations.

Pull the pin

Aim low: Point the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the bass of the fire.

Squeeze the handle: This releases the extinguishing agent.

Sweep from side to side: Keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth until it appears to be out.  Watch the fire area. If fire breaks out again; repeat the process. 

SCS wishes to maintain a work environment that is free of illegal drugs, alcohol, firearms, explosives, or other improper materials. To this end, SCS prohibits the possession, transfer, sale, or use of such materials on its premises. SCS requires the cooperation of all employees in administering this policy.

Desks, lockers, and other storage devices may be provided for the convenience of employees, but remain the sole property of SCS. Accordingly, any agent or representative of SCS can inspect them, as well as any articles found within them, at any time, either with or without prior notice.

SCS likewise wishes to discourage theft or unauthorized possession of the property of employees, SCS, visitors, and customers. To facilitate enforcement of this policy, SCS or its representative may inspect not only desks and lockers but also persons entering and/or leaving the premises and any packages or other belongings. Any employee who wishes to avoid inspection of any articles or materials should not bring such items onto SCS's premises.

It is SCS's policy to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in promoting the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and the community.

The School shall comply with Section 1006.12, Florida Statutes and provide a Safe-School Officer. This individual will be on campus whenever students are present for school related activities. The Board shall ensure contracts, insurance and budgets are set aside to adequately support the selected option. 

Statement Prohibiting Bullying and Harassment

It is the policy of SCS that all of its students, employees, and volunteers learn and work in an environment that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying of any kind. The organization will not tolerate bullying and harassment of any type. Conduct that constitutes bullying and harassment, as defined herein, is prohibited.

Definition of Bullying and Definition of Harassment

Bullying or harassment shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1006.147, Florida Statutes and means intentionally and repetitively inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees and may involve but is not limited to:

1. • Teasing

   • Social Exclusion

   • Threat

   • Intimidation

   • Stalking, including cyber stalking as defined herein

   • Physical violence

   • Theft

   • Sexual, religious, racial or gender orientation harassment

   • Public humiliation

   • Destruction of property

Harassment means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student or employee that:

• Places a student or employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property.

• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits.

• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school. 

Bullying and harassment also encompasses:

• Retaliation against a student or employee by another student or employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying or harassment. Reporting an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith is considered retaliation. 

• Perpetuation of conduct listed in the definition of bullying or harassment by an individual or group with intent to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, or cause emotional or physical harm to a student or school employee by:

  • Incitement or coercion 

  • Accessing or knowingly and willingly causing or providing access to data or computer software through a computer, computer system, or computer network within the scope of the School

  • Acting in a manner that has an effect substantially similar to the effect of bullying or harassment

• Cyber stalking, which is defined as engaging in a course of conduct to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific person, causing substantial emotional distress to that person, and serving no legitimate purpose.

“Cyberbullying” means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which includes, but is not limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photoelectronic system, or photo optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. Cyberbullying includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person, or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying. Cyberbullying also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying.

Expected Behavior

SCS expects students to conduct themselves as appropriate for their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated capabilities with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students and school staff, the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and the care of school facilities and equipment.

The development of this atmosphere requires respect for self and others, as well as for school and community property on the part of students, staff, and community members. The Organization upholds that bullying of any student or employee is prohibited:

• During any education program or activity conducted by the School;

• During any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity;

• On a school bus; or

• Through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network within the scope of the district school system.

Consequences for an Act of Bullying or Harassment

Concluding whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy requires a determination based on all of the facts and surrounding circumstances.  Consequences and appropriate remedial action for students who commit acts of bullying or harassment may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or reassignment, as outlined in School’s policies. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for an employee found to have committed an act of bullying or harassment may be disciplined in accordance with school policies, procedures, and agreements. Additionally, egregious acts of harassment by certified educators may result in a sanction against an educator’s state issued certificate. (See State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006, FAC, The Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida.) Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a visitor or volunteer, found to have committed an act of bullying or harassment shall be determined by the School administrator after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate law enforcement officials. Accusations made in good faith, even though subsequently determined to be false, shall not be subject to discipline consequences or remedial action as called for by this section.

Consequences for Intentional Misreporting

Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a student found to have wrongfully and intentionally accused another as a means of bullying or harassment range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or reassignment, as outlined in school’s policies. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for an employee found to have wrongfully and intentionally accused another as a means of bullying or harassment may be disciplined in accordance with school policies, procedures, and agreements. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a visitor or volunteer, found to have wrongfully and intentionally accused another as a means of bullying or harassment shall be determined by the School administrator after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate law enforcement officials.

Reporting an Act of Bullying or Harassment

The Principal or designee, is responsible for receiving complaints alleging violations of this policy. All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the Principal or designee. All other members of the School community, including students, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and visitors are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy anonymously or in-person to the Principal or designee. In order to report incidents of bullying, individuals may meet with either the Principal or designee to make the report. Any report in person should be followed within one day with a written report or a written explanation to the School’s office. Should the Principal wish, other forms of reporting may be created. The methods of reporting bullying will be prominently publicized to students, staff, volunteers, and parents/legal guardians, as well as how the report will be acted upon. The victim of bullying, anyone who witnessed the bullying, and anyone who has credible information that an act of bullying has taken place may file a report of bullying. An employee, school volunteer, student, parent/legal guardian, or other persons who promptly reports in good faith an act of bullying or harassment to the appropriate official and who makes this report in compliance with the procedures set forth in the School policy is immune from a cause of action for damages arising out of the reporting itself or any failure to remedy the reported incident. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of bullying or harassment will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades, learning or working environment, or work assignments. Written and oral reports shall be considered official reports. Reports may be made anonymously but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

Investigation of Whether a Reported Act is Within the Scope of the School

A Principal (or designee) will initiate an investigation of whether an act of bullying or harassment occurred within the scope of the School’s oversight. The trained designee(s) will provide a report on results of investigation with recommendations for the Principal to make a determination if an act of bullying or harassment falls within the scope of the district and will act according to the following protocols: 

• If it is within the scope of the School, further investigation will commence in accordance with subsection (6.10.8) herein;

• If it is outside scope of the School, and determined a criminal act by appropriate law enforcement, refer to appropriate law enforcement for further investigation.

• If it is outside scope of the School, and determined not a criminal act, inform parents/legal guardians of all students involved.

Prompt Investigation of a Report of Bullying or Harassment

The investigation of a reported act of bullying or harassment is deemed to be a school-related activity and begins with a report of such an act.

The Procedures for Investigating allegations of Bullying and/or Harassment, as defined herein include the following:

• The Principal (or designee employed by the School) will be assigned to initiate the investigation. The designee(s) may not be the accused perpetrator (harasser or bully) or victim.

• Each individual (victim, alleged perpetrator, and witnesses, as applicable) will be interviewed separately.

• The investigator shall collect and evaluate the facts including, but not limited to:

  • Description of incident including nature of the behavior and the context in which the alleged incident occurred;

  • How often the conduct occurred;

  • Whether there were past incidents or past continuing patterns of behavior;

  • The relationship between the parties involved;

  • The characteristics of parties involved (i.e., grade, age, etc.);

  • The identity of the perpetrator, including whether the perpetrator was in a position of power over the student allegedly subjected to bullying or harassment;

  • The number of alleged bullies/harassers;

  • The age(s) of the alleged bullies/harassers;

  • Where the bullying and/or harassment occurred; and

  • Whether the conduct adversely affected the student’s education or educational environment; and

  • Any other factors or allegations necessary to complete a prompt and thorough investigation.

Whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy requires a determination based on all the facts and surrounding circumstances and includes:

• • Recommended remedial steps necessary to stop the bullying and/or harassing behavior

  • A written final report to the Principal.

  • A recommendation of whether the bullying or harassing behavior should be referred to appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and review.

When the victim is a student, according to the severity of the bullying or harassment, the Principal (or designee) shall promptly notify the parent/legal guardian of the victim via telephone, writing, or personal conference of any actions being taken to protect the victim. The frequency of notification will depend on the severity of the bullying incident. 

Determination of Consequences and Due Processes for a Perpetrator:

Concluding whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy requires a determination based on all of the facts and surrounding circumstances, followed by the determination of disciplinary sanctions appropriate to the perpetrator’s position within the School. The below list encompasses possible responses from the School or Organization in response to a finding that there is a violation of the Policy:

• Consequences and appropriate interventions for students who commit acts of bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions up to, but not limited to suspension, or reassignment as outlined in the Organization’s policies and school district’s Code of Conduct.

• Consequences and appropriate interventions for an employee found to have committed an act of bullying will be instituted in accordance with school policy. Additionally, egregious acts of bullying by certified educators may result in a sanction against an educator’s state issued certificate (Rule 6B-1.006 F.A.C.).

• Consequences and appropriate intervention for a visitor or volunteer, found to have committed an act of bullying shall be determined by the School administrator after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate law enforcement officials.

• These same actions will apply to persons, whether they are students, school employees, or visitors/volunteers/independent contractors, who are found to have made wrongful and intentional accusations of another as a means of bullying.

• If a complaint of bullying or harassment is made by the alleged victim during or after the commencement of an investigation into employee or student misconduct, it shall not be a defense to the allegations of employee or student misconduct but may be considered as a mitigating factor under school policy, if appropriate.

Providing Immediate Notification to the Parents/Legal Guardians of a Student Victim:

The Principal, or designee, shall by telephone and/or in writing, report the occurrence of any incident of bullying or harassment as defined by this Policy to the parent or legal guardian of all students involved on the same day an investigation determines than an act of bullying or harassment in violation of the Policy has occurred. Notification shall be consistent with the student privacy rights under the applicable provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

If the bullying or harassment violation results in the perpetrator being charged with a crime, the Principal, or designee, shall by telephone or in writing by first class mail, inform parents/legal guardian of the victim(s) involved in the bullying incident about the Unsafe School Choice Option (No Child Left Behind, Title IX, Part E, Subpart 2, Section 9532) that states “A student attending a persistently dangerous public elementary school or secondary school, as determined by the State in consultation with a representative sample of local educational agencies, or a student who becomes a victim of a violent criminal offense, as determined by State law, while in or on the grounds of a public elementary school or secondary school that the student attends, be allowed to attend a safe public elementary school or secondary school within the local educational agency, including a public charter school.”

Referral of Victims and Perpetrators of Bullying or Harassment for Counseling

After an investigation has determined that an act of bullying or harassment has occurred, as defined herein, the School shall discuss with both the victim’s and perpetrator’s parents/legal guardians, if students, options available for counseling. This may include referrals to community agencies or partner agencies the School has relationships with. 

The Principal (or designee) shall also refer the perpetrator to the School’s Student Success Team in an attempt to develop strategies to be used within School to prevent the bullying or harassing behavior from continuing. The <Director> (or designee) shall decide if a similar recommendation would be prudent for the victim.

Providing Instruction Regarding Bullying and/or Harassment

The Organization will ensure that the School[s] sustain healthy, positive, and safe learning environments for all students. Students, parents/legal guardians, all school staff, and school volunteers shall be offered instruction, at a minimum, on an annual basis on the School’s Policy and Regulations against bullying and harassment. The instruction shall include evidence-based methods of preventing bullying and harassment, as well as how to effectively identify and respond to bullying in schools.

Publication of the Policy

At the beginning of each school year, the Principal shall, in writing, inform school staff, parents/legal guardians, or other persons responsible for the welfare of a student of this policy. 

The Principal shall ensure the development of an annual process for discussing the policy on bullying and harassment with students in a student assembly or other reasonable format to ensure the Policy is accurately conveyed to all applicable parties.

In the event a student or staff member appears to pose a threat of violence or physical harm to him or herself or others, the staff member with concerns should immediately notify the Principal. The Principal will activate the Threat Assessment team who shall make a preliminary determination about whether the student poses such a threat. The Principal shall immediately attempt to notify the student’s parent or legal guardian. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude School personnel from acting immediately to address an imminent threat, including contacting local law enforcement, starting with the SRO.

In the event that the Threat Assessment team has decided that the student poses a threat of violence to himself or herself or others or exhibits significantly disruptive behavior or need for assistance, authorized members of the threat assessment team may obtain criminal history record information pursuant to Section 985.04(1), Florida Statutes. A member of a threat assessment team may not disclose any criminal history record information obtained pursuant to this section or otherwise use any record of an individual beyond the purpose for which such disclosure was made to the threat assessment team.

A Behavior Threat Assessment (BTA) report will be submitted for any substantiated threats.

SCS requires its directors, officers, employees, and volunteers to observe high standards of ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities within the organization. As representatives of SCS, such individuals must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling their responsibilities and must comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The purpose of this policy is to create an ethical and open work environment, to ensure that SCS has a governance and accountability structure that supports its mission, and to encourage and enable directors, officers, employees, and volunteers of SCS to raise serious concerns about the occurrence of illegal or unethical actions within the Organization before turning to outside parties for resolution.

All directors, officers, employees, and volunteers of the organization have a responsibility to report any action or suspected action taken within SCS that is illegal, unethical or violates any adopted policy of SCS. Anyone reporting a violation must act in good faith, without malice to SCS or any individual at the organization and have reasonable grounds for believing that the information shared in the report indicates that a violation has occurred. However, any report which the reporter has made maliciously or any report which the reporter has good reason to believe is false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense. No one who in good faith reports a violation, or who, in good faith, cooperates in the investigation of a violation shall suffer harassment, retaliation, or adverse employment action.

Hurricanes

The crisis planning team will engage in strategic planning to determine the degree of threat for an incoming hurricane. Support from the entire staff will be required to enact protective measures of facilities, fully.

In the event of a storm or winds over 30 mph, the following procedure will apply:

• Clear the outside areas in front of and around the classroom.

• Lock all windows.

• Pull work away from windows.

• Unplug everything and put on tables

• Clear or take in any objects that may become damaged from high wind or rain.

• Take home lesson plans, technology device, and staff directory/phone tree

• Bring in umbrellas, wagons, furniture, student items

• Follow directives from the Principal or designee

• Faculty, staff, and parents will be informed of school closings via email and Remind.

• All employees should listen to 104.1 or www.us1radio.com for updates.

• If evacuation is necessary, let the Principal know where you are going, and call when you get there.

• Depending on the severity of the storm, all employees will report to work the day following the storm at 7:30 a.m. to prepare the campus for classes. 

Tornadoes

A tornado warning will be issued when an actual tornado has been sighted.  In the event a tornado warning is issued, the following procedure will apply:

• Evacuate to designated areas in areas away from all windows and doors on the lowest floor.

• Close all open windows or doors.  DO NOT open any windows.  

• Take attendance in the evacuation area and notify the Principal if a child is missing.

If danger from a tornado is imminent, have students assume tornado protection position:

• In a kneeling position, bend at the waist and place elbows on the floor.

• Tuck head between elbows and protect the back of the head with hands.

Staff that don’t have students will report to the Principal to offer assistance in supervision.

Teachers and students will remain in their class grouping unless otherwise directed by the Principal.

The School Safety Plan will clearly document the shelter in place procedures to be used for emergency weather such as tornados. All staff and students shall be made aware of this plan. The plan will be practiced at least twice per year as is required by Florida law. Documentation of the drills will be maintained by the organization for review.