Posted on by

What You Should Know in an Emergency

The ACPS Office of Communications uses a variety of ways to reach families during emergencies.

!So that we can keep you informed, please update the Student Information Update Form you receive in your child’s Welcome Packet at open house or during the first week of school. Or, update your information online. To reach you in any emergency, we need at least one cell phone number AND an email address.

You can also sign up for additional emergency email or text messages, including notifications about school closures, via the City of Alexandria’s eNews. These are sent out in addition to the usual ACPS notifications.

During an emergency our first priority is to do what is needed to protect students and staff. ACPS will then communicate to parents as quickly as possible once we have accurate information to disseminate.

  • Be assured, schools participate in emergency drills throughout the year, and staff and emergency responders are prepared for emergency situations.
  • DO NOT call or rush to your child’s school. Phone lines, staff and local roads are needed for emergency response efforts.
  • DO NOT phone/text your child. The noise of cell phones and phone conversations could put students in danger. Also, students need to be paying attention to the instructions from trained staff. Conflicting instructions from parents may put a child’s safety at risk.

In the event of an evacuation, students will be relocated to an appropriate evacuation assembly area. If students have been relocated due to an emergency, only parents/guardians or people listed as emergency contacts will be directed by school or public safety officials to their child’s specific location. All individuals will be required to present a valid picture ID such as a driver’s license, military ID, Permanent Resident ID card or passport.

To feel comfortable in emergency situations, stay informed of emergency terms and procedures to help understand the communication that is relayed during an emergency.

  • A lock-in takes place if a threat is identified outside the school. All school doors are locked, but classes continue as normal. No entry into or exit from the school will be allowed.
  • A lockdown takes place if a threat is identified inside the school. All school doors are locked, and students are confined to classrooms. No entry into or exit from the school will be allowed.
  • During a shelter-in-place, students take refuge in designated areas to protect from hazardous materials or severe weather. Entry or exit from the school will be controlled.

Closures or delayed openings due to severe winter weather will be announced by 5:30 a.m. when possible. You will get closure/delay notifications to the cell phone number and email address you provide on the Student Information Update Form in the Welcome Packets, or on the online information update system. Please make sure you update this information.

Emergency information will be distributed via:

Download and print the ACPS Emergency Procedure Card, and carry with you at all times.

print
ACPS, Safety and Security