Emergency Procedures
We are committed to student and staff safety in our schools and district buildings. We continually evaluate school safety procedures and protocols, while working to be as transparent as possible.
Throughout the school year, South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) may enter into an emergency closure, an e-learning day (extended learning day), or may choose to cancel after-school activities due to bad weather or other situations in which school cannot be held in-person.
Things to Know
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SoWashCo Schools consults with a variety of internal and external experts in order to make the best decision possible for students, staff and families. The Superintendent then evaluates several factors before choosing to cancel school through an emergency closure or to shift to an e-learning day.
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Dismissing students early is not logistically possible for a district our size.
- Late starts also create logistical concerns with driver availability during different hours.
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SoWashCo continually monitors the forecast from the National Weather Service in order to make the best decision for students.
Procedures
As we experience higher temperatures and changing air quality conditions, the following information addresses how SoWashCo Schools keeps our students safe, comfortable and healthy during their daily bus commutes.
Hot Weather Guidelines
The National Weather Service uses the Heat Index to guide its issuance of heat-related watches, advisories and warnings.
Air Quality
What is an Air Quality Index (AQI)?
Air quality is rated by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with an air quality index (AQI) ranging from 0-500 that reflects the five major air pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. The EPA has established national air quality standards for each pollutant to protect our health.
SoWashCo Schools follows the MDH's Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools. The guidance includes when and how to modify outdoor physical activity based on the Air Quality Index.
This guidance can help protect the health of all children, including teenagers, who are more sensitive than adults to air pollution. SoWashCo Schools will cancel all outdoor activities when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches the “Unhealthy” red range. At lower air quality levels, School and Program administrators may use their judgment to determine if their school or program’s outdoor activities should be moved inside.
School Bus Tips for Families when Heat and Poor Air Quality Mix
Preparing your student for a school bus ride that is both hot and with poor air quality requires a thoughtful approach for cooling the body and protecting your student’s lungs. Because school bus windows will likely be opened for heat safety, your student will be exposed to the outside air.
Here are a few tips to prepare your student on days when heat and poor air quality mix:
- Consider sending your student to school with one insulated bottle with ice water for drinking. Freeze a second plastic water bottle the student can bring to school so they can hold the frozen bottle against their wrists and neck to cool down during the ride, and drink it as it melts.
- Most school buses are not air conditioned throughout the bus. You may provide a washcloth or neckband that has been cooled with water and stored in a sealable plastic bag. Students can wet the washcloth before getting on their afternoon bus.
- Pack a small, battery-operated misting fan.
- Pack well-fitted KN95 or KF94 masks (one for the morning, one for the afternoon). Please note: Standard cloth or surgical masks do not filter out fine air pollution or smoke.
- Remind your student to sit or stand quietly while waiting and riding. Running or playing increases their breathing rate, causing them to inhale higher amounts of air pollution.
- Talk with your student about the importance of telling the bus driver immediately if they feel dizzy, nauseous, get a sudden headache, or feel like they cannot catch their breath.
Students are often aware of situations before adults and they can make positive impacts in our school community. But sometimes, they just need a safe and easy way to report issues without fear of embarrassment or retaliation.
SoWashCo Schools' Tip and Information Portal (T.I.P), is a confidential way for secondary students to report issues, concerns and other important information about school. Report an issue through T.I.P.
Submitted tips can include topics such as academic concerns, alcohol or drug use, bullying, discrimination, mental health concerns, parking issues, potential violence and more.
All tips are taken seriously and will be reviewed throughout the school week. It is important to know that T.I.P. is not a replacement for emergency services. If there is immediate danger, please call 911.
How to Use T.I.P.
- Access the T.I.P. form.
- Simply fill out the form, including what happened, where the incident occurred, who was involved and any other details you can provide.
- The more information you provide, the better we can address the situation.
- If needed, you may attach a photo or video.
- You may choose to provide your name and contact information to help staff to respond to the situation.
Required Drills
The goal of a safety drill is to show students and staff what needs to be done in an emergency.
What is a Safety Drill?
At school, we do safety drills to help keep everyone safe — students, teachers, and staff. A drill is like practice. We pretend something bad might happen, like a fire, a dangerous person, or a big storm. We learn what to do and where to go. This helps us stay safe and calm if something really happens.
Minnesota Law Says We Must Practice These Drills Every Year:
● Evacuation Drill (5 times a year): We practice leaving the building safely, like if there was a fire.
● Security Drill (5 times a year): We practice staying inside the building and locking doors to stay safe.
● Shelter Drill (1 time a year): We practice going to a safe place inside the building, like during bad weather.
● Bus Evacuation Drill (1 time a year for children riding a bus): We learn how to leave a school bus safely.
Why Do We Do Drills?
Drills help us know what to do in an emergency. When we practice together, we can all stay safe. Children will also experience emergency drills when they go to elementary school.
What Happens During a Drill?
● Teachers tell children before the drill:
“Today we will practice being safe. This is what I will do, and this is what we will do together.”
● Children are told it is just practice — not scary, just for safety.
● Drills are done in a calm and quiet way.
● Everyone in the school joins the drill.
How Can Parents Help?
Tell your child:
“Drills are like a game to practice staying safe.”
Safety Protocols
SoWashCo Schools uses the Standard Safety Response Protocol which is based on five actions for safety. Students and staff are trained on these procedures and practice drills throughout the school year.