Dear Students and Families,

This week we will be participating in our annual Prairie Mountain Safety Week.  All this week we will be having discussions with our students about ways that they can keep themselves safe from danger and in dangerous situations. 

On Tuesday, we will be participating in a lockdown drill.  Lockdown is the command used in the event of a threat or perceived threat at or near our school.  During the drill on Tuesday, an intercom announcement will inform staff and students that the drill will begin.  Staff will then be asked to secure their classrooms.  Teachers will lock classroom doors, close the blinds, move students away from the windows, turn out the lights and remain quiet.  The drill will last about three minutes, at which point another announcement will be made that the drill is over.  Teachers will also share that in the event of imminent danger, they may ask students (depending on grade level) to help barricade the door to make sure no one can enter the classroom or ask students to quickly evacuate the building. Tools that teachers will be using during these conversations are scripts that were created by the District Safety Committee and videos that were created in partnership with Eugene Police Department. 

Watch the K-5 video here: http://www.bethel.k12.or.us/safety-training-k-5/ 

 Watch the 6-12 video here: http://www.bethel.k12.or.us/safety-training-high-school-and-middle-school/

On Wednesday, we will be practicing a fire drill.  Each month schools practice fire drills, where students and staff evacuate the building and staff practice accounting for all kids.  During these drills, students are taught how to evacuate the building in an orderly fashion, line up facing away from the building, and listen intently to teacher directions.

On Thursday, we will partake in the Great Oregon Shake Out.  The Great Oregon Shakeout is an annual opportunity to practice how to be safer during earthquakes.  During this time we will teach our students the response of Drop, Cover, and Hold On.   

Teachers will let students know that during all of our safety drills the most important thing for them to do is to listen to adult directions.

We intend to continue sharing our plans with you as we work together to ensure a safe school environment for all.

As always, feel free to contact me for clarification or more information.

Sincerely,

Jill RW

Principal, Prairie Mountain School

Semana de Seguridad en la Montaña