Emergency Procedures
Columbia Elementary’s number one priority is providing a safe environment for students. The following protocols have been put into place to ensure all students and staff are safe in the event of an emergency. Click here (PDF on Tori Computer) to learn more.
Evacuation: If it is unsafe for students and staff to remain inside the building, the school is evacuated. Students and staff may be relocated to a safe location off school property, if necessary. An evacuation is conducted for an emergency such as a fire.
Secure: If there is a threat of violence or hazard on or near the campus but OUTSIDE, the school implements a secure protocol. All students and staff are brought inside the building and all exterior doors are locked until the threat has been resolved. Parents and other visitors may not be allowed in the school during a secure protocol. This is often called even if the threat is unrelated to the school but there is a potential for it to place students and staff in danger, such as police activity nearby or a wild animal on the loose. During secure protocol, the school schedule remains the same and classes inside continue without disruption.
Lockdown: If there is an intruder inside the building the school implements a lockdown. In a lockdown, all students and staff remain behind locked interior doors until law enforcement clears the building.
Shelter: If there is severe weather or threatening conditions outside the school, a shelter procedure is implemented. All students and staff move to safe locations inside the building.
Hold: When a hold is called it means all students are to remain in their current class or area even if the bell rings. This is enacted when it is necessary to keep the hallways clear due to an isolated hazard like a large spill or broken pipes causing debris or other obstructions in the school. It can also be used to keep the hallways clear for medical emergencies so responders are not impeded by crowds.
Columbia Elementary conducts a practice drill monthly with students throughout the year. Prior to the drill, teachers review procedures with students and answer any questions they may have.
We may use a variety of resources to notify guardians if an incident occurs at school including: ParentSquare, Columbia Website, and Social Media.
It is important for guardians to ensure that emergency contact information is accurate in Skyward.
Reunification
Reunification is enacted when a school is required to conduct a controlled release of students to guardians following an emergency or other significant disruption to the normal schedule.
Please do not automatically come to the school. In this circumstance the school or district will send guardians information related to reunification through ParentSquare. While we understand your need/want to come for your student(s), this may only delay the coordinated release of students.
Reunification takes time and requires patience and understanding from everyone involved. Accounting for students while maintaining a safe and controlled environment is of the utmost importance.
Priorities:
- Student and staff well-being
- Student and staff whereabouts and condition
- Starting the recovery process
Objectives:
- Every student has been accounted for
- Every staff member has been accounted for
- Every student still in the school’s control is reunited with their guardian
Tactics
Approaches will vary based on the event and environment. Columbia Elementary will follow the Standard Reunification Method. Guardians will be sent information on when and where the reunification will occur. Before a student can be released, the guardian must complete a reunification checkout card and present a valid picture ID for verification.
Families may complete the reunification card in advance. Use the links below to check them out.
- Student Reunification Checkout Card - English
- Tarjeta De Estudiante Verificación De La Reunificación - Español
Click here to view Columbia Elementary's reunification plan.