Chris Hayes

Chris Hayes

School Resource Officer

Noah Cherry

School Resource Officer

standard response protocol

Statistics consistently show that schools are among the safest places to be due to the strong commitment of educators, families, and our community to our students and schools. We strive to be proactive rather than reactive. This guide outlines the key elements of our state of preparedness. We hope it will answer questions you have concerning our actions and intentions in the event of an emergency.

For consistency, we have developed the following terms to use:

  • HOLD: "In Your Room or Area" is the protocol used when hallways need to be kept clear of occupants.

  • SECURE: "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors" is the protocol used to safeguard people within the building.

  • LOCKDOWN: is followed by "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" and is the protocol used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in place.

  • EVACUATE: may be followed by a location, and is used to move people from one location to a different location in or out of the building.

  • SHELTER: and state the Hazard and Safety Strategy for group and self-protection.

timing of crisis communication

As soon as possible, please:

  • Ensure your contact information in Infinite Campus is current and accurate, including who is authorized to pick up your student.

    • We will use this information and multiple communication channels (phone call, email, text message (if opted in)) to provide accurate and timely information in the event of an emergency.

    • If necessary, we may also use our District website (www.rs-wolves.com), and local news outlets may be asked to broadcast information.

  • Explain to your student that cell phones should not be used during an emergency unless directed by an adult. Your student must pay attention to instructions from trained personnel.

What you can expect if an emergency occurs:

  • The emergency plan will be implemented and the district/school emergency teams will respond.

  • All appropriate emergency response agencies will be dispatched to the school.

  • Depending on the situation, students and employees will be secured within the building or relocated to a Reunification Site.

  • Families will be kept informed on the situation with as much detail as possible. The first and official way for us to contact you in an emergency is using our automated phone calling system.

  • In an emergency situation, phones are needed to manage the situation and lines must remain open. Calling could also put students and employees at risk in an intruder situation.

  • You will not be allowed on school grounds during an emergency. Emergency personnel responding to the situation need the area clear to do their job. After emergency responders determine that a safe student release is possible, arrangements will be made to reunite students with their families. This will occur at a reunification site.

  • Students will not be allowed to take their property (coat, backpack, etc.) with them in an emergency.

After an Emergency:

  • You may be directed to a reunification site, where you will need to show photo identification.

    • Students will only be released to a parent, guardian, or approved adult.

    • Please be aware that reunification can be very time-consuming, and we appreciate your patience.

  • It is important to remain calm as students are greatly influenced by their family’s sense of well-being. At the same time, families need to be compassionate listeners when their student speaks of an emergency. Please seek help from the school, district, or community resources if you/your student have concerns.

Additionally, all Reeds Spring School District employees, students, families, and community members are encouraged to report anything they see, hear, or are made aware of that may impact a school.

  • When providing information, please be as detailed as possible. Include the name of the school(s), person(s) involved, type of alleged activities, when they occurred/may occur.

  • All threats are taken seriously. Police are notified, and officers and school administrators work together to thoroughly investigate any threat, whether it is made verbally, in writing, email, text message, or online. The earlier we know about a potential threat, the earlier an investigation can begin.

  • Anyone who makes a threat against a school could face criminal charges. If a student is involved in making a threat, the school/district will respond as outlined in the student handbook.

WARNING: it is against policy to impersonate an official Reeds Spring School District social media account or post false information about or from the school system under an anonymous account or alias. Depending on the nature of the post, such action may result in notification to local law enforcement. If made by an employee or student, it could result in disciplinary action.

How we respond to an emergency is greatly influenced by the specifics of an incident. Our plans do not replace the authority of emergency personnel. Our employees work in full cooperation with these agencies. 

For security reasons, components of our emergency plans are not publicly available.