In case of a school emergency or natural disaster, such as an earthquake, you need to be aware of your school’s disaster/emergency plan and procedures for releasing your child. Our concern is that your child be safe and that we conduct an orderly dismissal of students. If as many as 700- 800 parents arrive at school at approximately the same time to pick up students, your cooperation and patience is essential to our plan.

Communications between home and school is an important component of disaster preparedness. Staff and student awareness of personal, family and home safety are key items in the plan. Families of staff and students need to understand the importance of home planning and practice. Parents should be aware of the schools disaster plan and procedures in order to respond appropriately to an emergency situation.

Parking will be very limited. To avoid interfering with getting emergency vehicles on our campus during an emergency, we advise that parents be prepared to park at least a block or two away from the school.

For the safety of your child, we must document to whom each child is released. No child will be released to anyone not listed on the emergency card.

When you arrive at school, come to the Family Reunion Check-In Area, which is located at on the sidewalk by the parking lot, and please do the following:

• Sign Student Release Log and complete a Student Release Form

• Give the form to the person at the Check-In Area. The form will be checked against the Emergency Card which was completed and submitted when your child enrolled.

• Be prepared to present a picture identification card if requested.

• After completing the Student Release Form, you can wait for your child outside the gate in the check-in area.

It may take some time to process the release of your child, so please be patient and be prepared to wait. The less confusion there is, the faster students will be reunited with parents/guardians.

It is imperative that you keep all information on your child's Emergency Card is up-to-date. Remember that children will be released only to those listed on the card. Please share this information with everyone listed on the Emergency card so they are familiar with the procedures.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Reassure children that they are safe. Explain to them that there are good, competent people in charge who are working to keep us all safe.

• Limit exposure to the media. Avoid "staying glued" to the television. Instead, watch for a brief time and then talk about what you are seeing.

• Point out good deeds that have come out of this tragedy. Focus on stories of heroism and generosity to help children fortify their belief in humanity.

• Explain that feeling upset is normal. Communicate to your children that being sad or crying about these events is ok.

• Talk about the tragedy with children old enough to understand recent events. Tell your children the truth, but make sure that your explanations are age-appropriate. Younger children will need brief information (only if they are aware of the tragedy and are asking questions) combined with reassurances of safety and love. Older children will be able to ask more involved questions and may need more detailed reassurances about why they are safe. Give children the answers to their questions and try to avoid speculation. Be a good listener and ask your children why they are asking the questions they are asking, to get to the root of their anxiety.

• Try to keep your routine. This fosters feelings of safety and stability.

• Encourage young children to express their feelings through art. This may help them express thoughts they are unable to articulate.

• Stay calm. Children take cues from your behavior. It is ok to show that you are upset, but avoid expressing strong feelings of anger, fear, or hopelessness.

• Try to spend more time with your children. Tell them that you love them and engage them with quiet, calming activities.

• Don't punish children for reverting to behaviors from an earlier age, e.g., bed-wetting. Instead, encourage them to verbalize the feelings behind their actions. These behaviors will subside over time.

• Be familiar with signs of trauma and monitor your child's behavior in the upcoming weeks. Be in touch with teachers and caregivers to ask about your child's behavior.

• Take care of yourself. Your children take cues from your words and actions, and you will need to take care of your own needs in order to stay calm and strong for your children. Seek out community resources to find the support you need.