As the severe thunderstorm/tornado season approaches, please know that our school has a plan to keep students safe when severe weather strikes. We practice our plan throughout the year via various drills and practice procedures.
For the safety of our students, in the event of a tornado warning, our school will institute its safety plan and will not be releasing students while the emergency is underway. All students and staff will be directed to:
- Go to interior rooms and interior hallways; and
- Stay away from glass windows and doors; and
- Initiate “duck and cover procedures,” if necessary; and
- Stay in a sheltered area until the storm has passed. No entry into or exit from the school will be allowed until an “all-clear” announcement has been received from Franklin County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
We will closely monitor the status of any severe weather situation using data from the National Weather Service, local television/radio stations and reports from the Franklin County EMA. Although your first reaction will be to call or rush to your child’s school, please follow the tips below:
- DO NOT call or rush to your child’s school. Phone lines and staff are needed for emergency response efforts. We will be in the sheltered area with our students, working to keep them safe.
- DO NOT phone your child. Staff and students are discouraged from using cell phone communication for safety reasons. We do not want to overload emergency communication channels.
- Tune in to local radio and television stations for official school news alerts.
- Rely on official communication from school or public safety officials. We will get information to you as quickly as we can once the “all-clear” has been given.
- Listen for official information regarding reunification with your child.
We will do our best to keep you informed of severe weather situations. Please know that our first priority is the safety of our students.
Tornado Safety Tips
Whether practicing a tornado drill or sheltering during a warning, we are encouraged to DUCK!
D - Go DOWN to the lowest level
U - Get UNDER something
C - COVER your head
K - KEEP in shelter until the storm has passed
Additional Resources