Safety & Security

Safety and Security Specialist: Jurgen Walls

School Resource Officer:

Fire Drills

Fire drills are required the first four weeks of school, and then once a month for the rest of the school year per state law and FCPS regulations.

The fire alarm is the signal for a fire or a fire drill and consequently all persons must exit the building. Should the alarm system be out of order, the oral call "Fire Drill" will be used through the halls. Hand signals from administrators shall indicate "all clear" and students will return to classes. Fire exits and fire drill instructions shall be posted in all classrooms and office space. Teachers shall instruct their classes with respect to procedure during fire drills and the proper exit and route to use from each classroom. Students need to exit the building quickly and quietly. Teachers should take crisis plan folders, class lists and attendance sheets with them and check roll outside of the building. Teachers will need to complete the Fire Evacuation Form (see below). Students shall wait outside in a quiet and orderly fashion (i.e. In a line with their teacher) until the proper hand signal has been given to return to class.

Please check your classrooms and make sure that it has an evacuation map, a tornado re-position map, and a red crisis book that provides directions for lockdowns, shelter-in-place, and other safety response needs.

Please remember that everyone must leave the building during a fire drill, and that teachers must remain with their students and they with you. Please also take students in the halls with you as you exit the building. Students should not go to lockers, use the bathroom, and/or stop to chat with friends during a fire drill. What we do in drills is what we do in reality!

Tornado Drills (Files Below)

The school must conduct an annual tornado drill in March as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia. An announcement will be made to alert the staff to take their classes to the designated tornado safe areas. It will be necessary for all students/staff on the second floor to move to the first floor and all students/staff to move out of first floor classrooms with windows. Everyone must stay clear of large windows and areas with high ceilings. Teachers will be instructed on appropriate safe locations. Please keep the instructions that are sent via email in your crisis folder located near the door in your classroom. Students must line up and assume the Tornado Drill Position*. This is the only way we can protect students in the event of a real tornado. Teachers must closely supervise their classes during the drill/emergency.

Lockdown Drills

In the event of a lockdown, an announcement will be made over the PA informing you that we are going into lockdown mode.

• Quickly check the hallways for any students or staff, get them in the room.

• Close & lock the door.

• Place the black paper over the window.

• Turn off the lights

• Keep everyone as quiet as possible

• Move students as far away from doors and windows as possible.

• DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR ANYONE, no matter what!

ID Badges

All FCPS personnel are expected to wear ID badges at all times. All visitors are expected to wear visitor badges and substitutes are expected to wear appropriate identification. All staff is expected to escort visitors to the office/arrange for an escort if visitors to the building fail to be wearing identification. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure a safe and secure building and facility. If you are expecting a visitor or a delivery, please log them in the visitors log book located in the main office.

Clinic

All incidents whereby a child is injured/harmed should be immediately reported to the student health room. Communication with administration/families can then be ensured in a timely manner. Students must be given a pass in order to permit them to enter the student health room. If a student is injured/should not be moved due to an accident, call the main office for assistance at extension 2500. The student health room will publish a confidential medical flag list. This confidential information is linked above and will be updated periodically throughout the year. Staff members are legally responsible to be aware and follow any guidelines necessitated by a student's condition.

Personal Property

Please place your valuables and personal electronic devices in a locked cabinet or drawer. Items that are not secured are difficult to locate and recover and every effort should be made to protect your personal belongings and private information. Please refrain from using your cell phone during instructional time.

Visitor Information

All visitors are expected to sign-in in the main office and wear a visitor badge at all times. Special events guests including guest speakers, FCPS personnel from other schools, visiting teachers, etc. are also expected to follow this procedure. Parents are welcome to visit classrooms when arranged with prior approval by the teacher/counselor/ administrator. A counselor/administrator should accompany this visit. Student visitors are NOT permitted except with prior authorization of the principal. All other visitors must report directly to the main office upon arrival on school property to sign in and obtain a visitor’s badge.

Child Abuse Reporting

Suspected abuse or neglect of any student is to be reported to administration immediately. Sections of the Code of Virginia explaining specifics regarding reporting child neglect and abuse are available in the main office. Note that teachers and other specific persons (nurses, doctors, etc.) are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Failure to report can result in a fine. That statute also provides protection to teachers from any civil or criminal liability in connection with reports they make. See an Administrator or Counselor immediately if you suspect abuse.

Earthquake Response Guidance

Subsequent to the earthquake of August 23, 2011, the office of safety and security (OSS) has conducted research on the best practices for schools to utilize in such an incident. OSS will be updating the online crisis management workbook (http://www.fcps.edu/fts/safety-security/publications/cmw.pdf) with detailed instructions. The comprehensive guidance found in the crisis management workbook includes specific guidance for teachers and staff while in the building, outside the building and information for principals and crisis management team members. Principals and program managers should provide all staff with a printed copy for inclusion in the red, Crisis Management and Security Plan: Classroom Guides that hang on the back of each classroom door. In the interim, the basic response protocols are provided below.

Earthquakes generally occur without advance warning and may cause minor to serious ground shaking, damage to buildings, and injuries. It is important to note that even a mild tremor can create a potentially hazardous situation (broken gas and/or water lines, exposed electrical wires) and the below procedures should be implemented in response to all earthquakes regardless of magnitude.

To reduce the likelihood of injury and death during an earthquake one should immediately “DROP, COVER and HOLD ON”.

• DROP down to the floor onto your hands and knees

• COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) by crawling under a nearby table or desk. Cover your eyes by leaning your face againstyour arms.

• HOLD ON to the table or desk until the shaking stops.

If there isn’t a table or desk nearby, cover your head, neck and face with your arms as best you can and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Stay away from windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

Modifications for people with disabilities or access and functional needs: If a person(s)’ mobility is limited and they are unable to perform the DROP, COVER and HOLD ON, it is important that they do not try to move to a “safer place” or attempt to move outside during an earthquake. Movement will be very difficult and the risk of injury by falling or being struck by toppled and flying objects are great; instead, they should protect their head, neck and face with a pillow or their arms, and bend over if able.

The main goal of “DROP, COVER and HOLD ON” is to afford protection from falling and flying debris and increase the chance of surviving a building collapse. Studies of injuries and deaths caused by earthquakes over the last several decades show that people are much more likely to be injured by toppled, falling or flying objects (loose items on shelves and counters, shattered window glass, unsecured bookcases and computers, etc) than die because of a collapsed building.

When the earthquake is over, initiate the evacuation of the building. However, prior to an evacuation order, if possible, assign staff to assess the safety and accessibility of evacuation routes, assembly areas and cycle any elevators prior to using them. Avoid exit routes with overhanging building facades, overhead utility wires, large trees and expansive glass windows. The evacuation of a building should not be accomplished by using the fire alarm.

Student Searches

When a student is searched by school staff, an AP will contact the parents/guardians of the student.