October 2014,
Dear Benchmark Parents,
The safety of the students, staff members, and visitors at BenchmarkSchoolis of utmost importance.To ensure a safe and secure campus, members of our Crisis Response Team have been meeting, attending school safety workshops, taking online courses through safeSCHOOLS training, and applying what we have learned by discussing our responses to simulated emergency scenarios.Last year, we revised our Emergency Management Plan to follow the guidelines outlined by the National Incident Management System (NIMS).The revised plan is an All-Hazards Emergency Management Plan which covers procedures for Prevention/Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.Our All-Hazards Plan is on file with the Upper Providence Police and Fire Departments.
In addition, emergency drills are conducted throughout the year.They are designed to cover several different possible scenarios, including evacuation, sheltering-in-place, reverse evacuation, and lockdown.
In the event of an emergency, BenchmarkSchoolwill utilize the same sources of communication as we have in the past (Rediker automated calling system, email, phone) as long as they are available.We ask that parents/guardians be mindful of the information and follow the instructions that are provided at the time of the emergency.Attached to this letter are the Family Reunification procedures as outlined in our All-Hazards Emergency Management Plan.Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these procedures.
As in the past, we continue to maintain a locked building with visitors directed to come in through the main entrance, sign in, and wear a nametag while in the building.We want to thank you for being so conscientious in your cooperation with our efforts.
Please feel free to contact the main office (610-565-3741)if you have concerns or questions regarding any of the above.
Sincerely,
Crisis Response Team
Robb GaskinsAdam LemischWayneReichart
Sally LairdEleanor GensemerJoyce Ostertag
Colleen O’HaraSara HillTom Hurster
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Family Reunification Procedures
Student release is a critical part of emergency planning.In certain situations, it may be necessary to release students to parents after an incident has occurred.When Family Reunification is necessary, the following steps will be followed:
1.Parents will report to theFamilyCheck-inCenterand give the name of their child.
2.Picture identification may be required by the person in charge at theCheck-inCenterto insure the person requesting the child is a match to the name on the Incident Release Card.
3.The Accountability Team at theFamilyCheck-inCenterwill document information on the student release form (name of student, time, parent ID has been verified), and give the release form to a runner.
4.The Accountability Team at theFamilyCheck-inCenterwill provide parents with information about signs of stress and names of counselors and agencies who can provide additional support.
5.A runner will go to the Student and Staff Assembly Area and get the child requested by the parent or guardian.The runner will escort the child to the ReunificationCenter.
6.Parents will move to theReunificationCenterto await their child.Once the child is reunited with a parent, the parent will be asked to sign a form indicating they picked up the child.The date and time will also be indicated on the pick-up form.
7.If the child is in the First Aid Area, the parent will be escorted to the area for reunification with their child.