RSU # 71 takes the safety of students and staff seriously and has several initiatives in place to maintain a safe and healthy school environment:
School Resource Officer (SRO) - A Belfast police office is on staff as an SRO and is available for a variety of school activities related to safety.
Internet filtering- we use several layers of filtering in order to screen out and stop students from accessing inappropriate websites.
Gaggle.net - we use a program called Gaggle to monitor student email, google drive contents, and searching in order to check for self-harm or safety situations that need administrator intervention.
School messaging - RSU #71 uses the messaging system built into Infinite Campus to email, call, or text parents and staff for snow days and emergency situations.
Security cameras - cameras are used in all schools to watch for dangerous activities
Keyless door entry systems - several buildings have keyless locks that allow a keyless card to be deactivated if lost. Over time more doors will be added to this system throughout the district.
Walkie-Talkies - all administrators and teachers now have walkie talkies that aid communication during an event.
Badges and automated check out procedures - this year the CASS school is piloting a new checkout system for students going home that uses badges and scanners for ensuring students are on the proper bus or with an authorized parent/guardian. This system may be expanded to other schools.
Relationship with Waldo County EMA - several years ago RSU #71 began working closely with the Emergency Management Agency in Waldo County to coordinate safety efforts among the school districts (RSU #20, RSU #3, and Drinkwater School), fire departments, and law enforcement (local departments, Sheriff, and State Police). An example of this coordination is the ability to use walkie talkies among the different agencies and schools.
Alice Training - all staff are Alice trained - click here for more information.
Secure vs Lockdown
RSU # uses two different procedures to help keep potential threats away from staff and students:
Secure
The Secure procedure is used when there is an incident or situation where there is no direct danger or threat perceived toward students, employees, or school facilities. School continues on as usual but students are brought inside from any outdoor activities and outside doors are secured and monitored.
Example of a secure situation: A neighboring district goes in lockdown due to a threat. As a precaution, our buildings are put into secure mode until the situation is resolved.
Lockdown
A lockdown is used when there is a situation in the building or the district has received information regarding a potential threat to students and employees in a school or building. Internal procedures are implemented as needed. Emergency personnel will be called on site to assist.
Example of a lockdown situation: a threat has been identified that may impact the school directly and a lockdown is issued to place all students and staff behind locked doors until the threat is resolved.
What Parents should do if there is a school emergency
In the event of a school emergency, parents and families can support the District and their student(s) by remaining calm and waiting for accurate information to be sent through the District's Infinite Campus messaging system. The message will provide as much detail as is available at the time. Additional messages will be sent alerting families to what is taking place and next steps. In some cases, local media (WABI & WCSH), as well as the District's website will be used to communicate information.
Though it is natural for you as a parent or caretaker to want to come to the school or call the school during an emergency, we encourage you to support the District by doing the following:
Please do not come to the school.
We understand your desire to go to the school and the need to see your child especially in a situation that feels scary. However, arriving at the scene before it is secure can interfere with the emergency response and puts you in danger. Past school emergencies have shown that one of the greatest challenges is how to manage the number of parents and concerned citizens rushing to the scene. By rushing to the school, parents can unintentionally create traffic jams that may block emergency responders from getting to the school or leaving if necessary to transport injured students or staff to emergency medical facilities. Families should not pick up their student unless given the direction to do so from the District.
Please do not call the school.
We also ask that families do not call the school. This allows phone lines to stay open for communication with emergency personnel and school officials. It also helps school staff to remain focused on the safety of their students. The school and District will ensure information is shared via our phone messaging system. If a student is injured, the families of those children will be notified directly.
If your child texts or calls you, please keep them calm.
We know that during a school emergency many of our students will try to call or text their parent or guardian. If this occurs, we ask that you stay calm and reassuring. Encourage your student to follow the directions of school staff. To prevent confusion or added safety risks, ask them to turn off their cell phone and refrain from using social media.
Emergency Communication with Families
During Event:
The District will provide families with accurate information about a situation as quickly as possible. This communication will occur when the school emergency occurs and again when the emergency is resolved or information has changed. The District will utilize our phone messaging system to contact families utilizing the phone numbers provided to the school and available in our student information system. For this reason, it is important to always update the school regarding a change in phone number for yourself or anyone listed as an emergency contact.
While it is important for us to quickly update parents, it is also important that the information we send is accurate. Please be aware that emergency situations are fluid and always changing, and that information received from non-District sources such as the news media and social media may be inaccurate.
After Event Parent Communications:
In some instances, the District will send a factual notice to families regarding the day, time, duration and reason for the lockdown or evacuation. The notice may include other information as appropriate such as lunch changes, transportation adjustments and extra-curricular and co-curricular activity modifications. When possible, these letters will be sent home with students following an emergency situation.
Quick Tips if there is a School Emergency
Below are some quick tips to help families when there is an emergency at a school.
Stay calm and alert:
In the event of a school emergency, please remain calm and know that school staff, District personnel, and first responders are working to keep your child safe. Please keep your phone close and follow the directions provided. Based on the situation, the District may alert you to visit the District website, pay attention to local media outlets. Please know that the news will not always report accurate information.
Please do not come to the school:
We understand your desire to go to the school and the need to see your child especially in a situation that feels scary. However, arriving at the scene before it is secure can interfere with the emergency response and puts you in danger. Past school emergencies have shown that one of the greatest challenges is how to manage the number of parents and concerned citizens rushing to the scene. By rushing to the school, parents can unintentionally create traffic jams that may block emergency responders from getting to the school or leaving if necessary to transport injured students or staff to emergency medical facilities. Families should not pick up their students unless given the direction to do so from the District.
Please do not call the school:
We ask that families do not call the school. This allows phone lines to stay open for communication with emergency personnel and school officials. It also helps school staff to remain focused on the safety of their students. The school and District will ensure information is shared via our phone messaging system. If a student is injured, the families of those children will be notified directly.
If you child texts or calls you, please keep them calm:
We know that during a school emergency many of our students will try to call or text their parents or guardians. If this occurs, we ask that you stay calm and reassuring. Encourage your student to follow the directions of school staff. To prevent confusion or added safety risks, ask them to turn off their cell phone and refrain from using social media.
Make sure your contact information and all emergency contact information is accurate and updated:
The District will call families when there is an emergency situation at a school. Please make sure your emergency contact information is always up to date with the staff in the main office at your child's school. In the event of a serious emergency, all emergency contacts will be called. Please make sure the emergency contacts you have listed for your child are up to date and they understand the District's procedures. Also, make sure that they know they are listed as an emergency contact.
Be prepared with photo ID:
In the event of an evacuation, the District will follow a standard reunification plan to ensure all students are safely returned to their families. During a reunification, families and/or individuals listed as an authorized person to pick up your child should do the following:
Bring valid form of identification (ID).
Follow signage and parking directions of the reunification location.
Complete the provided reunification form.
Choose the check-in line that corresponds to your student's grade.
Provide school personnel at the check-in table with a valid form of photo ID and the completed reunification form.
Wait patiently as a District staff member retrieves and escorts your student to you.
Please note that only approved adults with valid photo identification will be allowed to pick up students from the evacuation location.
Standard Response Protocol
RSU 71 has adopted a modified version of the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP), the modification being the addition of ALICE protocols during a shooting or intruder event.
Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling using the protocol. The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on an all hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol.
The premise is simple - there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a “Term of Art” and is then followed by a “Directive.” Execution of the action is performed by active participants, including students, staff, teachers and first responders. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Active Shooter/Active Intruder, Evacuate, and Shelter