Safety
Monthly Safety Drills
At Kent School District, the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. We are committed to ensuring that everyone on our campus is prepared to respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations. By engaging in regular safety training, we empower our students with the knowledge and confidence they need to respond decisively, while also providing them with support and reassurance.
Each month, we conduct required safety drills, including fire and lockdown drills, to prepare our students and staff for a range of emergency situations. These drills are discussed with students in an age-appropriate way to ensure they feel informed but not overwhelmed. More information on the legal requirements for these drills is available should you wish to learn more.
We believe the more students understand about ways to respond to emergencies, the calmer and more empowered they will feel when an emergency happens. These drills can also cause anxiety for some. School staff are available to support any student who may feel anxious about these safety exercises.
Parent Responsibilities During an Emergency
In an emergency, your response plays a crucial role in helping us keep students safe. We encourage you to read and be prepared to follow the protocols below in an emergency.
Do monitor your email and text messages for timely updates from the school. You can expect notifications when a lockdown is initiated and lifted, followed by a detailed message once the situation is stable.
Do ensure that your contact information in Skyward Qmlativ Family Access is always up to date (find out how) so we can reach you quickly if needed.
Actions to Avoid During an Emergency
While we know how important it is for families to stay informed, there are certain parent responses that negatively impact the school’s ability to keep students safe:
Do not call the school, as this ties up phone lines and can delay critical communication with emergency responders.
Do not call your child’s cell phone, as the sound can reveal their location and increase risk.
Do not come to the school, as this could put you in danger and interfere with emergency personnel. For everyone’s safety, parents will not be allowed to enter the building during an active emergency.
Do not rely on social media for updates, as it often contains misinformation. Trust only school communications for accurate information.
In an emergency, our top priority is working with emergency responders to ensure the safety of our students. Our second priority is communicating with our families. Please understand if you have not received immediate communication, it is because we are actively working to secure the situation. We will keep you informed as soon as it is safe to do so.
We understand that as a parent, it is a natural reaction to want to get to your child in an emergency. Please understand the need to keep our campus clear for emergency responders to do their jobs quickly and unhindered. By working together and following these protocols, we can make sure that our response in an emergency keeps all students safe!