Garrett Park Elementary School

1. Garrett Park Elementary School Safety Information Meeting September 24, 2008

2. Meeting Outcomes • Explain the function of the On-Site Emergency Team. • Provide an overview of MCPS emergency procedures. • Explain key points of Code Red and Code Blue procedures. • Explain Shelter-in-Place and Parent/Child Reunification Plans.

3. OSET • Stands for “On-Site Emergency Team” • Is a nationally recognized organizational and management tool used by MCPS • Has identified members • Calls for all available staff (those without students) • Activated by the incident commander (administrator or teacher-in-charge)

4. Code Blue • Used to alert staff that an emergency/crisis exists at or near an MCPS facility • Requires students to be accounted for and under adult supervision • OSET will be activated via a PA announcement or through walkie- talkies • Classroom instruction continues once all students have been accounted for and when it is deemed safe to continue with normal activities • Depending on situation • Fire watch may be established or adults are posted at stations to assist with supervision of students as they move throughout the building • Classroom doors may be locked • Students will be asked to remain in their classrooms • Staff outside will be asked to move inside • Staff and parent helpers may be called to monitor the front door

5. Code Blue Procedures for Teachers • Classroom Teachers • _____bring outside students in • _____re-assure students that they are safe • _____email attendance to the Outlook Garrett Park Private folder, • _____continue classroom instruction • _____restrict hallway use until safe to do so (a member of the OSET team, • usually the principal will let you know when it is safe to use the • hallway, then supervise hallway use • _____ignore bells • _____evacuate if the fire alarm sounds • _____wait for further instructions • If the Montgomery Child Care Association at Garrett Park Needs to Move In • _____ media center and computer lab activities will immediately be cancelled • If the Garrett Park Co-Op Nursery Needs to Move in • _____ media center and computer lab activities will immediately be cancelled

6. Code Red • Alerts staff that imminent danger exists inside or outside the building • Requires moving to an immediate lockdown mode • Staff makes the room look unoccupied by pulling down blinds, turning off lights, and moving away from windows and doors and remaining silent • Requires that students are accounted for and under supervision • Attendance is reported when it is safe to do so • Staff supervising students outside when an emergency occurs inside the building are notified via a walkie-talkie and instructed to move students to our holding sites

7. Code Red Procedures for Teachers • Classroom Teachers • _____If you are outside, take students to one of the holding sites • _____Stay calm and reassure students that they are safe • _____Do a quick hall sweep (and a bathroom check) and LOCK YOUR DOORS • bring classes with a substitute into your class (if they do not have a key to lock the door) – use your best judgment • _____Make the rooms look and sound unoccupied • _____All students must be silent • _____Cover windows, close blinds • _____Turn off lights • _____Move students away from doors and windows, students may sit on floors • _____Everyone should remain quiet and hidden • _____When safe to do so, email attendance to Garrett Park’s Outlook private folder • _____If you do not have students, let us know your location by entering it in the subject line • _____Ignore bells • _____IGNORE THE FIRE ALARM UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO EVACUATE BY AN OSET MEMBER OR A UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICER • _____Remain calm and wait for further instructions

8. Code Blue Shelter-in-Place • Used to describe an enhanced level of Code Blue due to an emergency/crisis near the building-dismissal will not occur as scheduled • Could be a weather-related emergency or a suspected chemical/biological/radiological incident • Doors and windows are secured/locked. • Students are brought into the main building from outdoor activities. • Depending on the situation, electrical power is shut off to ensure immediate shutdown of HVAC. • A Fire Watch might be established.

9. Parent/Child Reunification • A specific plan designed to reunite students with their parents/guardians in the event of an emergency/crisis at the school. • Its purpose is to ensure safe and orderly reuniting of students and parents/guardians. • Signs will be posted showing the location (APR). • Staff will be stationed to explain procedures parents need to follow.

10. Parent/Child Reunification Procedures: • Parents enter the reunification area through the APR • Parents fill out card with student’s and the parent’s names. • Have a picture identification ready to show. • You must be named on the student’s Emergency Authorization Form or Emergency Yellow Sheet to pick up student(s). • Once approved, staff will retrieve the student(s). • Parent/guardian will sign the student(s) out. • When student arrives, exit through doors by the staff lounge.

11. General Emergency Procedures: • Make school-wide announcement • Call 911 if need be • Call OSP, Garrett Park Day Care, Nursery School, Holy Cross School, PTA President, Garrett Park Town mayor • Establish Command Post • Building Service Notification-Perimeter doors locked • Post Code Blue or Red Signs if possible • Account for all in building and share next steps

12. Questions?