Emergency Procedure
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As dedicated guardians of your children's safety, we want to assure you that our foremost concern is maintaining their well-being within our educational environment. Our Emergency Operations Plan has been meticulously crafted to address a spectrum of potential emergencies, ensuring a swift and coordinated response. In the face of crisis, we are prepared to implement the following protective measures:
Immediate Evacuation: In the event of a fire or similar emergency, students will be swiftly evacuated to designated safe areas on school grounds.
Modified Operation: Winter storms or building issues may necessitate adjustments to normal activities, prioritizing student safety above all else.
In-Place Sheltering: Sudden occurrences, whether weather-related or involving hazardous materials, may require students to take cover within the building for their immediate protection.
Campus Evacuation: If our school is in a hazardous area, students may be relocated to a secure facility outside of the danger zone.
Furthermore, if your residence falls within a disaster zone while the school remains safe, your children will be cared for at their regular school location until it is safe for them to return home, or until you or your authorized representative can retrieve them.
For updates and announcements regarding emergency actions, please monitor local news channels such as KDKA, WPXI, and WTAE. Additionally, our district's school messaging system will notify parents/guardians of any delays, cancellations, or early dismissals, supplemented by announcements on our website at www.whsd.net. Please understand that during power outages, website updates may not be immediately accessible.
We kindly request that you refrain from contacting the school during an emergency to keep phone lines clear for administrative use. Instructions will be provided by the media regarding where and when to reclaim custody of your children, prioritizing efficient traffic flow to ensure the safety of all involved.
Upon arrival at the designated student release area, please be prepared to:
Present photo identification as the authorized individual designated at the beginning of the school year to pick up the student. Sign a student release form. During registration or the annual student update process, you provided the names of persons authorized to pick up your student. Please ensure that only those listed individuals attempt to do so.
If your student possesses personal transportation arrangements at the time of an emergency or evacuation, your consent was obtained during registration or annual updates.
I urge you to refrain from contacting the school or making alternative arrangements during emergencies, as this may cause confusion and divert staff from their critical duties.
Sincerely,