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Parent/Guardian Roles in an Emergency

STAY ALERT

In the event of a school emergency, KPS staff are working with local public safety departments to ensure your child’s safety first. We are committed to providing ongoing updates as information becomes available to us. Stay alert for texts, emails and phone calls, as well as updated information posted to our district website. We know that during an emergency, many of our students will try to call or text their parents/guardians. If this occurs, we ask that you stay calm and reassuring. Encourage your student to follow the directions of school staff. 

STAY AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL

We understand your desire to go to the school, especially in a situation that feels scary. However, arriving at the scene before it is secure can interfere with the emergency response and put you in danger. Past school emergencies have shown that one of the greatest challenges is how to manage the number of parents and concerned citizens rushing to the scene. By rushing to the school, parents can unintentionally create traffic jams that may block emergency responders from getting to the school or leaving if necessary to transport injured students or staff to emergency medical facilities. Families should not come to pick up their child unless given the direction to do so. In many situations, your child may be bused to another location away from the scene to be reunited with family. KPS will notify you of that reunification site.

KEEP PHONE LINES OPEN

We ask that families do not call the school. This allows phone lines to stay open for communication with emergency personnel and school officials. It also helps school staff to remain focused on the safety of their students. The school/district will communicate any information with you as soon as possible. 

DO NOT CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR 911

The police department will be dealing with the school emergency and the dispatch line must remain open for any other emergencies that could occur in the community. Calling to ask what is going on at the school will only take away from the dispatcher being available to handle other emergencies, while also interrupting communication with the police on site at the school where the emergency is taking place. Only call if you have information to share that will help police respond to the emergency.

KEEP YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION UPDATED

Please ensure your cell phone and email address are up to date by checking the information in your parent portal account. 

BE PREPARED WITH YOUR PHOTO ID

In the event of a school evacuation, KPS will follow a standard reunification plan to ensure students are safely returned to their families. During a reunification, parent/guardians or emergency contacts listed as an authorized person to pick up your child should do the following:

  • Bring valid form of identification (ID).
  • Follow signage and parking directions of the reunification location
  • Complete the provided reunification form.
  • Provide school personnel at the check-in table with a valid form of photo ID and the completed reunification form.
  • Wait patiently as a KPS staff member retrieves and escorts your student to you.