Safety and Environmental Services

• If there is an escape route, move quickly to a safe area
• If staff is present, follow their instructions
• Escape by exits or windows
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape
• Prevent and warn others along the way about the danger

• Hide until help arrives
• Lock and/or barricade your door
• Silence all electronic devices
• Hide behind large objects
• Remain calm and quiet
• Your hiding place should be out of attacker's view, provide protection, not trap or restrict your options for movement

• Fight as a last resort
• Attempt to incapacitate the attacker
• Improvise weapons, use any means
• Commit to your actions

Our schools are among the safest places anywhere. But, as safe as our schools are, we've all heard reports of violent attacks in places that no one dreamed would ever be in danger. To be prepared and to ensure students and staff members know how to protect themselves from harm, the Wichita Public Schools has adopted an intruder response plan recommended by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Stay Safe (Pre-K-5) booklet is specifically designed to help teachPre-K-5 students the importance of staying safe in an emergency. The information is presented in an age-appropriate format and is designed to teach and reinforce the concepts of Run-Hide-Fight.

In the event a violent intruder enters a building, students and staff are trained to:

• RUN (Get Out or Evacuate)
  If there is an escape path, students and staff will attempt to evacuate. Students will need to stay calm as they follow the teacher's instructions.
• HIDE (Lock Out or Barricade)
  If evacuation is not possible, students and staff will find a place to hide in an area that can be secured.
• FIGHT (Take Out or Resist)
  When RUN or HIDE fail or are not possible FIGHT as a LAST RESORT. If lives are at risk, attempts should be made to incapacitate and disarm the attacker.

Q. Why is this necessary?
A. Safety is priority. We are teaching students important ways to be ready for emergency situations.

Q. Are you going to tell my child to fight?
A. No, we want students to follow the teacher's instructions, to practice and be prepared, not scared.

Q. What should I do if my child is scared?
A. Get with a counselor or support staff at your student's school. 
 

• Make time to talk
• Let your child's questions be your guide as to how much information to provide
• Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate
• Emphasize that schools are very safe places
• Reinforce that adults are there to protect them
• Remind your child of ways we all keep schools safe including:
  • Keeping exterior doors locked
  • Adults monitoring the playground
  • Practicing emergency drills
  • Reporting danger immediately to a trusted adult

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS-ENGLISH

INFORMACIÓN PARA PADRES-SPANISH

• The school-based crisis response team will respond as necessary.
• Depending on the situation, staff and students will be secured within the building or evacuated from the school building.
• If the situation merits, appropriate Wichita and/or Sedgwick County public safety/emergency response personnel will be dispatched to the school site.
• A telephone call, email, or letter explaining the crisis and the response will be sent home with students as soon as possible.

• DO NOT COME TO THE SCHOOL
  • You may not be able to get into the school. You may put yourself in harm's way or interfere with emergency response.
• STAY WHERE YOU ARE
  • Listen for information and instructions. Information will be conveyed through ParentLink, Wichita Public Schools social media, the district's cable channel, through our website www.usd259.org, and local  media.
• DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL OR YOUR CHILD'S CELL PHONE
  • The circuits you are using may be essential for the emergency response.
• SCHOOL WILL RESUME AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE
  • ​​​​​​​It is true that "getting back to normal" is the most reassuring response for children and adults.
• TALK WITH YOUR CHILD
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Listen for any fears or concerns. Any ongoing concerns should be shared with your child's teacher and/or a counselor.

ParentLink is an automated calling system (sends both phone message and email message) from your child's school.

NOTE: It is important to keep in mind that all emergency notification is based on information in the district's student database. If your contact information changes during the school year, PLEASE notify your child's school of this change so records can be updated.