Emergency Preparedness
Stay Up to Date
Ensure that your child's emergency contact information is accurate and current in PowerSchool. Please contact your child's school directly if you need to update any contact information. Current and accurate information will help ensure parents/guardians receive important notifications in a timely manner.
Be familiar with your school emergency communication procedures. Our district is committed to providing accurate and timely information in the event of an emergency. If you have questions about your child's school emergency communication procedures or methods, please contact the school directly.
Get InformationBe sure to sign up for ParentSquare. This is our District's primary method of communication.
In addition to ParentSquare, the District offers additional communication methods:
- Follow: North Wasco County School District on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Emergency Do's and Don'ts
In the event of an emergency situation, we ask our parents/guardians & community to please follow the protocols below. These are in place for the safety of our staff and students, as well as our Emergency Responders:
North Wasco County Schools practice various safety drills throughout the year as part of our commitment to keeping students and staff safe, and prepared, in the event of an emergency. These drills include practicing for events such as an earthquake, bus evacuation, fire drill and active threats. This practice gives students an idea of what to expect as well as allowing school staff to practice our response to specific conditions and look for ways to learn and improve.
North Wasco County Schools collaborate with our local law enforcement and fire/rescue. During many of the drills, law enforcement and fire/rescue may be seen in or around the school building. By participating in these drills, law enforcement and fire/rescue are familiar with the protocols and procedures used in emergency situations, can then better navigate the school building layout, and create an essential working relationship with the District.
Oregon laws require that all schools conduct a Fire Drill once per month and two Earthquake Drills per school year. In addition to the required drills, our schools also conduct two Lockdown drills per year, and may drill a Secure and/or Shelter event during the school year.
Parents and other school visitors are encouraged to participate in these safety exercises if they are inside the school at the time of the drill.
> LOCKDOWN
A lockdown takes place if a threat is identified inside the school building. School doors are shut and locked, lights are turned off and students are confined to classrooms, common areas or offices that are able to be secured by a locking door. No entry or exit from the school will be allowed until an “all clear” announcement is made. Students will NOT be released during a lockdown.
> SECURE
A secure takes place if a threat is outside of the school building. All staff and students return inside and all exterior school doors are locked. Teachers may continue instruction inside as usual. No entry into or exit from the school will be allowed until an “all clear” announcement is made, or a 'modified' secure is put into place. Students will NOT be released during a secure.
> SHELTER
Students take refuge in designated areas to protect them from hazardous materials or severe weather. No entry into or exit from the school will be allowed until an “all clear” announcement is made. Students will NOT be released during a shelter.
> EVACUATION
In the event of certain building emergencies, students will be relocated to an evacuation assembly area. Parents/Guardians or emergency contacts will be notified of where the reunification site will be located through the District's communication methods. Students will be released ONLY to parents/guardians or emergency contacts with picture ID. It is very important that families have current and accurate contact information in PowerSchool. Please contact your child's school if you need to update or revise contact information.
> HOLD
In the event of a minor situation that may require staff and students to clear the hallways, the Hold notification will be used. This protocol is used when a situation can be or will be resolved quickly. Notification will not be typically sent out through ParentSquare when this protocol is used.
