2026 Parent Letter Emergency Drills

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Safety is a top priority in all our schools. Each year, we conduct twelve emergency preparedness drills to ensure our students and staff are well-equipped to respond calmly and effectively in the event of an emergency. These include evacuation drills, secure lockout drills, and lockdown drills. All drills are clearly communicated to students as practice exercises; there is no actual threat during these events.

Evacuation Drills: These drills prepare students to exit the building quickly and safely in response to situations such as a fire, earthquake, or water line break. We conduct at least eight evacuation drills annually. Should it ever become necessary to relocate, our schools are prepared to accommodate and support our students from other school buildings.

Secure Lockout Drills: These are initiated when there is a potential threat outside the school. During a lockout, all exterior doors are secured, and no one is permitted to enter the building. Students who are outdoors for recreation or physical education are brought inside immediately. Normal operations resume once the external threat is resolved.

Lockdown Drills: These drills simulate a situation where danger is present inside the building. In such cases, students and staff move to the nearest classroom, doors are maintained in locked positions, and everyone remains silent. If a real lockdown were to occur, law enforcement would be notified and enter the building. No one would exit the classrooms until police confirm the situation is safe.

Upcoming Drills: Drills will begin in all schools within the first few days of school. You will receive emergency drill notifications throughout the school year from your child's principal.

Emergency Response Team: Every school has an Emergency Response Team that is composed of administrators, staff, parents, and a School Resource Officer. They meet multiple times throughout a school year to review and strengthen our safety protocols. In addition, our District Emergency Response team, which includes representatives from all school buildings, meets four times a year.

Reunification Plan: In the event of an emergency that requires immediate evacuation and off-site reunification, please wait for school district direction. As soon as possible, we will communicate with parents via ParentSquare. We will indicate the location, time, entry point, and reunification process. It will be critically important that parents follow the directives of SCPD and school officials.

Emergency Notifications: In the event of a real emergency, families will be alerted and provided reunification information via our ParentSquare system. The parking lots must remain clear for emergency vehicles in a real emergency.

Ultimately, safety comes down to a shared mindset: See Something, Say Something. Please be sure to communicate student, staff, faculty, and/or facility safety matters to a member of the WB team.

Attached please find a flyer that outlines security contact information.

If you have reason to believe someone is in danger of causing harm to themselves or others, please immediately contact SCPD.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our school community safe and informed.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly – Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Brian Wallace – Senior Guard