Emergency Procedures for Parents and Guardians

The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. In the event of a disaster during school hours, our administration will determine the best course of action to manage the health and safety of everyone on campus.

Communication & Updates

• Updates will be sent via our Emergency Notification System (voice mail, text and email). Additional messaging will be posted to our website and social media channels. 

Student Supervision & Release

• Educators will remain with students until they are picked up by a parent or an authorized adult listed on the School Closure/Emergency Release Form. Please ensure that your carpool driver is included in your pre-authorized list if you want your child to be released to them in an emergency.
• Saint Francis has emergency food and water supplies for students who may need to stay on campus.
• Educators are trained in first aid, security, rescue and emergency communication.

Emergency professionals have reviewed our emergency plans and trained our staff. We will continue to receive training in conjunction with the Mountain View Police Department, as part of a program called “The Silicon Valley Safe Schools Consortium.”

Important Reminders

• Do not call the school—phone lines must remain open for emergency communication. Information will be shared with parents when available and safe to do so.
• Check for updates before coming to campus: Parents will receive instructions from our Emergency Notification System (voice mail, text and email). Additional messaging will be posted to our website and social media channels. 
• Avoid calling your child’s cell phone, as networks may be down, or overwhelmed and additional noise may put them at risk in a lockdown situation.

By following these guidelines, you help ensure a safe and organized response in an emergency.

Advance Planning for Emergencies

• Keep Emergency Forms Updated: Submit a new school Emergency Form whenever you change your phone number or address.
• Review the School Closure Emergency Release Form: Ensure authorized pickup contacts (including carpool drivers) are current.
• Verify Contact Information: Keep phone numbers and email addresses up to date to receive emergency notifications.
• Create a Family Plan: Discuss and prepare how your family and friends will support each other in a crisis.

Understanding Safety Procedure Terms

Safety procedures are defined based on the type of emergency. It’s important for our families to know the definitions, understand what happens on campus during these situations and follow the outlined instructions.

Shelter in Place

A shelter in place is used when there is no immediate danger to our school but conditions off campus may pose a risk. This means it’s safer for students and staff to stay indoors.
Examples include:

• A police situation in the neighborhood
• Severe weather such as high winds or flooding
• Poor air quality due to smoke, hazardous materials or chemical spills in the area 

What happens on campus:

• Normal classroom instruction continues as much as possible
• Students and educators remain inside and doors are secured
• No one enters or exits campus until the “all clear” is given
• Parents are notified when it is safe to do so, and given instructions about next steps
   

Lockdown

A lockdown is used when there is a potential or immediate threat to safety on or near campus. This might involve an intruder, police activity or other security concerns.
Examples include:

• An unauthorized person on campus
• An active threat or dangerous situation nearby

What happens on campus:

• All doors are locked and no one enters or exits campus until the “all clear” is given
• Students move to a secure area of the classroom, away from windows and doors
• The campus remains silent while law enforcement responds
• Parents are notified when it is safe to do so, and given instructions about next steps
   

Evacuation

An evacuation is used when it is necessary to move students and educators off campus or away from a specific area due to a safety concern.

Examples include:

• Fire, smoke, gas leaks or utility failures on campus
•  Structural damage to a building
• Any situation where remaining in place is unsafe

What happens on campus:

• Students and educators are directed to leave the buildings in a calm and orderly manner and relocate to a designated safe area on or off campus
• Attendance is taken to ensure all students are accounted for
• Emergency personnel assess the situation
• Parents are notified when it is safe to do so, and given instructions about reunification or next steps

In all scenarios it is important that parents do not contact the school or their student. The phone lines need to remain open for emergency personnel, and calls or texts to students could pose a threat to their safety. These procedures are designed to keep students and educators safe while emergency teams handle the situation on campus. Saint Francis will communicate updates to families through official channels once it is safe and appropriate to do so.