LFS
Emergency Preparedness
 “In
the rare event of a biological or chemical incident, the safest and
most prudent action for the principals will be to create safe spaces
in the schools so that children and staff can be “sheltered
in place”. There will be no evacuation or movement outside of
buildings. (This is different for us, because we have been trained
to evacuate and flee in emergencies.) The schools will be locked,
with all staff and students in safe places. If this should occur,
parents would not be permitted to pick up children, because opening
the building will jeopardize the safety of all students. Pick up will
follow when local authorities determine the area to be safe.”
Patricia A. Weitzel-O’Neill, Ph.D. Superintendent for Catholic
Schools-Washington Archdiocese.
In
the event of an emergency situation and a directive from local authorities
to shelter-in-place, please be advised of the following:
- All
students will be moved into our shelter-in-place area, which is
the gym.
- All
faculty and staff will be with the children to ensure their proper
supervision and safety.
- The
school is prepared with adequate water supplies and healthy snack
materials so that the children will be fine for the duration of
the quarantine.
- The
gym will be sealed off so that no one may enter or leave until
local authorities advise it is safe to exit. This announcement
will be given over the radio and television.
- Parents
are asked to stay in their own safe area whether this is at home
or at work until the announcement is made by local authorities
that it is safe to leave. Do not come to the school, until local
authorities advise that it is safe to do so as you will endanger
your own safety and that of others. Gym doors will be sealed.
- All
parents are asked not to call the school, as any lines that we
have need to be open for emergency communication.
Any
visitors or parents in the school at this time will be directed to
stay. When authorities provide direction to shelter-in-place, they
want everyone to take those steps immediately where they are and not
drive or walk outdoors.
How
Will We Communicate With Families?
Our
primary responsibility at this time will be the safety and welfare
of the children. We will endeavor to keep in touch with our parents
by way of e-mail.
- We
will also post whatever messages we may have on the front page
of the school website. www.littleflowerschool.org
- If
time and circumstances allow we will place a message on the computerized
emergency contact system.
- We
will also attempt to send messages over our Motorola Talk Abouts
(walkietalkies) on Channels 3-3 and 7-7
- All
other information will be broadcast on public radio and television
if these media are available. This will be our means of knowing
what is happening in the area and also our way of being advised
when it is safe to dismiss the children.
How
Will the Children Be Dismissed?
Once
local authorities declare that the area is safe, we will bring the
children to the classrooms along the quadrangle.
When
all students have settled in their classrooms, parents will be invited
to enter the building from the upper parking lot and get their children
from the classrooms.
Pre-K,
KDG, Grades 1 and 2
Students
in these grades will be brought to the following rooms along the quadrangle:
- Pre
Kindergarten (Library) Kindergarten (Computer Room)
Grade 1 (Music Room) Grade 2 (Sister Mary Ann’s Room)
All other grades will be in their regular classrooms
Special
Teachers will be in the hallways assisting parents in getting students
from the classrooms.
This
plan will be revised should we receive additional
directives from local authorities suggesting any
other recommended emergency course of action.
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