Each year, the School Safety Plan must be updated to ensure all emergency procedures and school-specific information are accurate and current.
Purpose of the School Safety Plan
The School Safety Plan is designed to:
- Record all school-specific emergency information.
- Provide procedures for responding to various emergencies (e.g., fire, natural disaster, lockdown).
- Include emergency contacts, phone numbers, and evacuation sites.
- Serve as a guide for school staff, first responders, parents, and others who need to be familiar with the school’s emergency protocols.
Annual Update Process
1. Distribution of Template
- When: Second week of July each year.
- What: A 4-page Safety Plan Template is emailed to all school principals.
- Why: This template must be completed with the school’s updated emergency information, including:
- Emergency contacts
- Phone numbers
- Off-site evacuation locations
2. Principal’s Responsibility
- When: Completed template is due by the end of July.
- What: School principals must provide accurate and updated school-specific safety information by filling out the template and returning it to Facility Services.
- Why: This ensures each school’s emergency plan reflects current and accurate details.
3. Review and Compilation
- What: Once submitted, Facility Services:
- Reviews each school’s information for completeness and accuracy
- Updates each school’s safety plan accordingly
- Compiles the information into a standardized 32-page School Emergency Plan for each school
4. Return of the Final Plan
- When: By the end of August
- What: The finalized 32-page Emergency Plan is returned to each principal, containing all updated emergency procedures and contacts.
Principal’s Role in Plan Implementation
- What: Principals are expected to share the finalized School Safety Plan with all relevant staff and personnel annually, including:
- School staff (teachers, administrators, custodians, office staff)
- School Resource Officers (SROs)
- Substitute teachers
- Parents (limited to relevant information such as student pick-up procedures and off-site evacuation locations)
- Any other personnel who must be aware of emergency procedures
- When: The plan must be shared as soon as it is received and no later than the start of the school year (or immediately after receiving the final plan).
Mid-Year Updates
- What: If any changes occur during the school year (e.g., emergency contacts, off-site evacuation locations), schools must update their Safety Plan.
- When: Changes must be submitted to Facility Services as soon as they occur to keep the plan current.
Important Changes for the 2025–2026 School Year
- New Requirement: Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, Safety Plans must also be shared with school leadership (i.e., administrators and district leadership), in addition to staff and first responders.
Timeline Overview
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Template sent to principals | Second week of July |
| Completed template due | End of July |
| Final Safety Plan returned to principals | End of August |
| Safety Plan shared with school staff | By start of the school year (or immediately after receiving the final plan) |
| Updates to Safety Plan (if any) | Ongoing, as needed |
| Safety Plans shared with school leadership (2025–2026) | By start of the school year (or immediately after receiving the final plan) |
