SAFETY

Best Practices ALREADY IN PLACE

1. If you see something, say something... Please encourage your child to be part of this commitment through a trusted adult or through iHelp, our confidential reporting system that is monitored 24/7. Our counselor will teach all of our students about iHelp during the first few weeks of school.

2. Access control at elementary schools... Please never allow someone to enter ESE behind you. We talk to each visitor prior to allowing entry.

3. Proactive mental health support for students who are struggling including a structured threat assessment process... We have a district mental health team, who are trained to deal with the most complex mental health issues and get students the help they need to be successful.

4. Armed police officers on all secondary school campuses and patrolling our elementary schools...They are prepared to defend our students and staff at all costs.

5. Sophisticated improvements in building hardness... This includes vestibules, ballistic film, and much more that we choose not to share publicly for security reasons.

6. Communication infrastructure...We know that reliable communication over and above telephone use is extremely important during an emergency.

7. Drills and training... Our staff participates in tabletop discussions and other regular training that teach us what to do in various situations to keep our students safe.

8. Significant evacuation and reunification planning... We are prepared to evacuate and relocate our students and staff to a safe location and a plan that will help us return students to their families safely and as quickly as possible.

Safety Drills at HE

At HE, we practice safety drills with all staff and students to prepare for any emergencies that may occur.

Evacuation (Fire) Drills are completed monthly.

Secure the Perimeter, Lockdown, and Shelter-in-Place Drills are completed once each semester. These drills will be practiced during Drill Week. Our first Drill Week was the week of August 15. We encourage all parents to review the drills with their students at home prior to Drill Week. Let your students know that this is to practice keeping everyone safe.

EVACUATE - An evacuation is necessary when there is a threat inside the building, such as fire. All staff and students will exit the building. There is a procedure in place to account for all staff and students. When the "all clear" is issued, staff and students return to the building.

SECURE - Secure the perimeter is necessary when incidents arise OUTSIDE of the school building that can pose a threat to students and staff safety and well-being. (Example: a crime occurring in the area) All staff/students will be moved indoors. Parents/visitors will not be admitted while the school is under SECURE status. Students will not be released to parents while the school is under SECURE status. 

LOCKDOWN - A lockdown is necessary when there is a threat very near or INSIDE the building, such as an intruder. All doors are secured and locked. Students and staff will move away from sight and maintain silence until first responders end the lockdown. Police officers will open doors once the situation is safe. 

SHELTER IN PLACE - Shleter in place is an emergency course of action requiring everyone to immediately shelter where they are to avoid adverse conditions in the outside environment, such as excessive smoke or a chemical leak. All staff and students will be moved indoors. Parens.visitors will not be admitted while the school is under shelter in place status. Students will not be released to parents wile the school is under shelter in place status.