Emergency Guide for Parents ::..

Information Parents Need If Emergencies Arise
at School or in the Community

Safe Environments for Learning - A Top Priority
Safety is a priority for the St. Tammany Parish Public School System. We work in partnership with law enforcement, parish government, emergency responders and emergency preparedness officials to coordinate emergency response plans in order to ensure everyone acts swiftly and effectively in emergency situations.

Emergency plans are reviewed regularly and school leaders conduct drills throughout the school year to make certain students and staff members know the proper emergency procedures. Principals are available to discuss emergency plans and answer any questions you might have about safety. Parents and caretakers can help us by understanding what schools will do in an emergency and cooperating with school and emergency officials.

Emergency Alert System
In the event of an emergency, the School System will send out information through the Emergency Alert System. By signing up for the Emergency Alert System, you will receive immediate and critical information as soon as it is available. The service is free and will send alerts through text messages, emails and phone calls.

Parents are encouraged to sign up at www.stpsb.org/alert.

Parents Have a Key Role in Emergency Response
During an emergency situation, school and emergency officials must act quickly to secure schools in order to safeguard students and staff. Parents and caregivers can assist greatly by being prepared before an emergency. Here are a few critical things you can do:

• Sign up for the Emergency Alert System to receive text messages, emails and voice call alerts. Go to www.stpsb.org/alert to sign up for this free service.
• Review and fill out the attached School Emergency Contact Card and keep it with you at all times.
• Make certain school officials always have accurate contact information on file.
• Provide your school with contact information for adults authorized as emergency contacts for your child.
• Talk to your child about what to do and how to contact you in an emergency.
• Stay informed about potentially serious weather situations.
• Let your child and school officials know if you anticipate being unavailable, out of town or difficult to reach for an extended period of time.
• Notify school officials or the Crimestoppers Safe School Hotline at 1.877.903.7867 if you see or hear of anything that could create a danger at school.
• In the event of an emergency, monitor www.stpsb.org, the System TV station and local media for information.

Emergency School Closings
An emergency may require the closing of a school or all schools for a short period of time to help ensure the safety of students, staff, parents and others in the community. Notification of emergency closings is given as soon as possible so parents and caregivers can make arrangements.

Early or Delayed School Dismissal
School lock-downs or forecasts of exceptionally hazardous driving conditions may cause delayed dismissal of students or early dismissal of students from school.

In case of delayed dismissal, students may arrive at their bus drop-off sites later than usual. If school officials are not able to notify parents about early dismissal or closing, students may be kept at school until parents can arrange for students to be picked up.

Threatening Weather
In cases of threatening weather, School System officials work with the U. S. Weather Service, parish government, local law enforcement officials and emergency preparedness officials to make decisions about early dismissal or school closings.

Even with the assistance of these officials, weather conditions are difficult to predict. When schools are open during severe weather conditions, the School System will respect parental judgment about whether their children should attend school. Absences in such cases will be excused and students will be allowed to make up missed schoolwork.

Emergency Release of Students to Parents
During an emergency, schools have special procedures for a secure release of your child from school, if evacuation during the school day is required.

• All adults will need a government-issued photo ID (such as driver’s license, passport, military ID) to pick up students.
• Students will be released ONLY to persons who have been designated as emergency contacts on the student emergency card kept on file at the school.
• Non-custodial parents who may pick up students must be listed on the student emergency card as a guardian.
• Parents will be notified through the Emergency Alert System, the School System Web site at www.stpsb.org, the School System TV Station, the local media and through other communication systems about when and how to pick up students.
  

School Emergency Information for Parents

Important Emergency Information Contact Information

Please keep the following information with you for quick emergency contact reference.

• Go to www.stpsb.org or mobile.stpsb.org
• Watch the System TV station on AT&T U-verse Ch. 99, Charter Cable Ch. 13 or live streaming at Channel 13 Web Page
• Call the System Emergency Hotline at 985.635.0801 or 1.800.580.1874
• Receive Emergency Alert text messages, emails and phone calls if you have joined the Emergency Alert System
• Tune into local TV stations, radio stations and news Web sites for alerts
• If you or your child have information about a serious or potentially serious school safety concern, call the school principal or the Crimestoppers Safe School Hotline at 1.877.903.7867.

Getting Information During a School Emergency or Closing

• Receive Emergency Alert text messages, emails and phone calls. Sign up at www.stpsb.org/alert
• Visit the School System Web site www.stpsb.org or on the go at mobile.stpsb.org
• Watch the System TV Station AT&T U-verse Ch. 99, Charter Cable Ch. 13 or live streaming at www.stpsb.org
• Call the System Emergency Hotline 985.635.0801 or 1.800.580.1874
• Tune into local TV stations, radio stations and news Web sites for updates

For an Adobe Acrobat PDF Version of this information, click here.