Emergency Response Procedures & Family Communication 

East Valley School District is committed to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff. When an incident occurs, the district follows established response procedures based on the nature of the situation. These procedures help ensure student safety while allowing emergency personnel to do their work efficiently. The information below outlines each response type, how the school will respond, how families will be notified, and what parents and guardians should do.

 

Lockdown - Response to a threat of harm

 

What the School Will Do

• Close and lock all external entrances and classroom doors
• Conduct a head count
• Follow Run, Barricade, or Fight protocols as appropriate
• If students are outdoors and the threat is external, students will be brought indoors

How We Communicate

• Families will be notified via mass message text and email
• Updates will be posted as pop-up announcements on the school and district websites
• Information will be shared on the district Facebook page
• Follow-up communications will continue as information becomes available

What Parents/Guardians Should Do

• Do not enter or attempt to exit the school
• Avoid coming to campus to prevent interference with law enforcement or emergency responders
• Do not call the school so phone lines remain open for first responders

 

Secure & Teach - Potential External Threat

Examples: nearby police activity, suspicious or unknown person in the vicinity of the school

 

What the School Will Do

• Close and lock all external entrances and classroom doors
• Continue teaching and normal classroom activities as appropriate
• Bring students indoors if they are outside

How We Communicate

• Families will receive notifications via text and email
• Updates will be shared as needed through website pop-up announcements
• Information will also be posted on the district Facebook page

What Parents/Guardians Should Do

• Do not enter or exit the school during this time
• Avoid coming to campus
• Refrain from calling the school so phone lines remain available for emergency communication

 

Secure & Teach - Internal disturbance

Examples: student or staff injury, internal behavioral concern, or other internal disruption

 

What the School Will Do

• Close and lock all external entrances and classroom doors
• Continue teaching and classroom movement as appropriate

How We Communicate

• Notifications are not typically sent to families, as there is no threat to overall student safety

What Parents/Guardians Should Do

• Based on the situation, parents and guardians may or may not be allowed access to the school

 

Shelter in Place - Response To a Chemical, Biological, or Radioactive Event

 

What the School Will Do

• Shelter students and staff in safe areas within the building
• Isolate the environment
• Shut off HVAC systems
• Conduct a head count

How We Communicate

• Families will be notified via text and email
• Follow-up updates will be provided as needed
• Information will be posted on school and district websites and the district Facebook page

What Parents/Guardians Should Do

• Do not enter or exit the school
• Avoid coming to campus
• Do not call the school so phone lines remain open for emergency responders

 

Evacuate - Response to Fire or Other Internal Threat

 

What the School Will Do

• Immediately evacuate the building to the nearest rally point
• Move to an alternate safe location if the rally point is unsafe
• Modify transportation as needed
• Conduct a head count

How We Communicate

• Families will receive notifications via text and email
• Follow-up communications will continue as information becomes available
• Updates will be posted on school and district websites and the district Facebook page

What Parents/Guardians Should Do

• Do not enter or exit the school
• Avoid coming to campus to allow emergency vehicles and personnel access
• Refrain from calling the school so phone lines remain open for emergency communication