Emergency Procedures for Families

red lockdown icon with a picture of a lock

Critical Responses

A crisis at your child’s school can take on many forms and can include things such as a chemical spill, a fire, a domestic disturbance close to but not associated with the school, a severe weather situation, or an active aggressor. Bismarck Public Schools works hard to take all the appropriate mitigative steps to prevent or deter emergency situations from happening but in the event a situation ever occurs, we are also prepared to respond. Below are BPS’ 4 Critical Responses that all parents/guardians should be familiar with.

BPS conducts drills for each of the 4 Critical Responses as outlined in Board Policy ACAB-AR. Drills help ensure students and staff are familiar and able to respond appropriately in emergencies as well as making sure the processes and procedures put in place work in a real-world situation. Large, city-wide, full-scale exercises are also completed during summer months every 5 years.

Lockdown

Shelter-in-Place

A “Shelter-in-Place Response” is called when there is not an immediate threat to student or staff safety. A shelter-in-place is used as a PRECAUTIONARY measure. Depending on the situation, doors may or may not be locked, students may or may not be allowed to leave the classroom without adult supervision, and people may or may not be allowed to enter/exit the building. Examples of situations where a shelter-in-place may be called: reports of a wild animal in the area, robbery at a nearby location, police responding to a domestic dispute, arrest being made near a school, etc.

Severe Weather Sheltering

Evacuation

An “Evacuation” is initiated by the fire alarm or an announcement made on the intercom. Teachers and aides will escort students through the nearest exit and out of the building. Every school has designated a “Reunification Area” where all classes meet, and teachers take roll. During evacuation drills, administrators may stand in front of an exit and imitate a fire or other obstruction, giving students and staff experience in thinking through different situations.

Reunification Plan

BPS also has a Reunification Plan in the event students are not able to return to the building. Parents/Guardians should keep the following points in mind if there is ever an emergency at their child(ren)’s school:

Do not call your student - this ties up the phone lines for emergency phone calls to law enforcement and it also puts your student at risk in an intruder situation. If the student forgets or doesn't have time to turn down the ringer of his/her phone, your phone call could potentially give away their hiding spot.
Do not come to the school - Law enforcement will not let you get to the school and you will potentially clog up roads that first responders need to use to gain access to the school. Wait for notification on Reunification Site from BPS.
Bring government issued ID to reunification site - students will not be released to parents/guardians who do not present proper identification. This is for the safety of all students.
BPS will communicate with you - BPS will be in contact with you via Swift K12 announcements which will come in the form of emails, phone calls, and text messages. Please understand while we work to get messages out as soon as possible, our commitment is to provide the most accurate information.