What WE do at Decatur to ensure everyone’s safety
Drills
Federal and state law requires Seattle Schools to conduct the following minimum number of drills per year:
- 3 Fire drills requiring evacuation
- 3 Lockdown drills
- 1 Shelter-In-Place drill
- 1 Drop Cover and Hold (Earthquake) drill
In addition, we are required to run no less than 1 drill per month. The following is a brief description of each:
Evacuation: In the event the building needs to be
evacuated, unless otherwise notified, all occupants follow predetermined
routes and exit the building, gathering at our emergency staging area
located in the northeast area of the playground. Attendance is taken
for students, staff, volunteers, and visitors. There we remain until
further instructions from administration, school security, fire, or
police officials.
Lockdown: A lockdown is called if there is a threat
to those on our campus within or near the school boundaries. In the case
of a lockdown situation, playground and hallways are evacuated into
appropriate classrooms, all exterior and classroom doors are then
immediately locked, blinds are pulled, lights are turned off, and all
students, staff, volunteers, and visitors are hidden in stillness and
silence.
Shelter-In-Place: A shelter-in-place is called if
there is a threat in the near-by community, which warrants us to take
precautions. In the case of a Shelter-In-Place situation, the playground
is evacuated, all exterior doors are locked and the main entrance is
monitored for those who need to either come or go. Classes remain in
session and students, staff, volunteers, and visitors are free to work
as usual inside the building.
Family Reunification: A family reunification event
is one in which family members or emergency contacts are required to
pick up students. This is a very structured process that requires a
great deal of patience and cooperation on the part of those coming to
pick up
students in order to ensure the safety of all students. It is imperative
that our systems are up to date with your information including who is
permitted to pick up our students in case family is not able to. Also,
it is imperative that adults coming to pick up students have proper
identification on them at the time.
Our philosophy when running drills is to practice well. This means
that the first drills of each kind are announced ahead of time so staff
can clearly educate students about logistics and expectations.
Thereafter, as we continue practicing throughout the year, the later
drills are unannounced to better replicate the requisite scenario.
What YOU can do at Decatur to ensure everyone's safety
Sign in: Whenever you enter our building, please
make the front office your first stop. Please sign in and please do
not sign out until you leave. Should you be here during a drill or
during an emergency event, we need to know that you are in the building
to help ensure your safety. Thank you.
Drills/Emergency Events
Earthquake: During an earthquake or earthquake
drill, find the nearest surface under which to duck and cover. There are
many studies and theories that suggest other actions to take. This is
the action that our local police and fire departments require us to
take. We ask you to do the same. Thank you.
Fire/Evacuation: In the event of a fire or fire
drill, unless otherwise informed, please follow the route of the nearest
class or office personnel and exit with them. Once you arrive at the staging area, report to the fence. The office staff will be bringing,
among other things, the volunteer and visitor check-in notebooks and
will be taking your attendance as soon as all student attendance is
reported. This accentuates the importance of signing in at the office.
If anyone is
missing, we have a team of experts to conduct a search and rescue.
If your assistance is needed elsewhere,
you will be notified. Thank you.
Lockdown: In the event of a lockdown, please get to
the nearest classroom and respect the charges of the teacher. If you are
in or closest to the office, the office is your destination and you
will be instructed where to go. Either way, you will need to sit in the
area designated by the teacher or office personnel and help maintain
silence and stillness around you.
Note: During a lockdown, if you are not already in the building, you
will not be allowed in the building once the doors are locked. This is
likely the hardest part about being a family member wanting in to be
with their child and equally as challenging for administrators who
cannot let you in. The best thing for you to do is to seek shelter
elsewhere in the nearby community.
Shelter-In-Place: During a shelter-in-place
situation, you may move about and within the building freely and
continue your work. Please refrain from leaving the building. If you
absolutely need to leave, sign out at the office and exit through the
monitored front entrance. In any event, the best help you can initially
offer is to respect the charges given you by teachers, office staff,
and/or administration. If we need your assistance in other ways, we will
ask for it.
Family Reunification: In the event of a more serious
crisis, there is a plan for reunifying family members with their
children. Because we need to ensure that students are going home with a
trusted family member or emergency contact, this is a methodical,
time-consuming process and we need your cooperation and patience. Your
students will be well-cared for by our emergency teams. To reunite with
your children, you will be directed where to go to sign in and present
your identification. There, your identity will be checked and
cross-checked with the names of people permitted to remove your
child/children. You will then be directed to another location to wait
until your child is brought to you.
Note: This is obviously a tense time for everyone involved. The
better you can maintain civility and respect and follow the instructions
given to you, the safer this process will be for all.
Relocation: In the event that we need to evacuate and relocate, our relocation site is soon TBD.