LITTLE ROCK -- In recognition of National Preparedness Month, the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Education are encouraging all parents and guardians to talk with their child's school about emergency plans as part of the My Child/My Student public awareness campaign, a joint effort between the Arkansas Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and public education advocacy and support groups.
With school back in session, it's important for parents and guardians to become familiar with emergency plans at their child's school and take a few steps to prepare for an emergency.
The Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Department of Health recommend that parents talk with their child's school about the ABCs:
Ask how you would be reunited with your child in an emergency or evacuation.
How would you find your child if an emergency happened during the school day?
If students had to evacuate, where should you go to pick up their child?
How would the school notify you in the event of an emergency?
Bring extra medications, special food, or supplies your child would need in case you were separated overnight.
What essential supplies would your child need if separated from you overnight?
Does the school have an emergency stockpile of these items?
If your child has special medications, can extras be kept at the school?
What is the school policy for how and when medication can be administered to your child?
Complete a backpack card and tuck one in your child's backpack and your wallet.
Be sure to include cell phone numbers and email addresses for parents or guardians and an out-of-town contact, too.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also created some helpful resources for parents, including an emergency contact information backpack card. These resources and more can be found by visiting the Arkansas Department of Education's My Child/My Student web page.
"In general, we would use our Blackboard Connect automated system to notify parents of the nature of a situation, to where each campus had been evacuated, etc." Randy Barrett, Gentry School District superintendent wrote in an email. "In the instance of an armed intruder, notification to parents would be delayed until "first responders" from law enforcement, medical, fire, etc. had a chance to arrive and take charge. While that may sound troubling to some parents, the concept is akin to an operating room where a surgeon is working -- visitors are not allowed during the operation for the safety of the patient and the ability of the doctor to perform his or her mission."
"Parents are always welcome to contact the respective campuses during non-crisis times to discuss our safety plans," Barrett wrote.
The medication policy from the Parent-Student Handbook specifies the school district's policy regarding administering medications to students.
General News on 09/16/2015