Shelter-in-Place Procedures

“Shelter-in-place” is initiated to protect students and staff from chemical, radiological, or biological contaminants released into the environment. To “shelter-in-place” means to take immediate shelter where you are and isolate your inside environment from the outside environment.

A Shelter-in-Place is initiated by the following announcement by administration over the loud speaker:

“This is a shelter-in-place. Staff and students move to your shelter areas.”

General Staff Instructions:

• Sweep any students or adults in the hallway into your room and lock your door.
• Explain to students that regardless of whether this is a drill or not, the shelter-in-place should be taken seriously.
• Close ALL windows and SEAL them with tape and plastic if instructed to do so.
• Lock all entrances to your room.
• Turn off any classroom heating or ventilation; cover air vents with plastic.
• Assure students that procedures are in place, to remain calm, quiet, and away from windows and doors.
• Do not allow students to leave the room during the shelter-in-place.
• Do not open your door until an “all clear” is received.
• Do not use the school telephone system to request information.
• Communicate known threats and location to the office by email, telephone, cell phone, or radio.
• Do not call the Main Office during a shelter-in-place unless you have something relating to the shelter-in-place to report.
• If the fire alarm goes off during a shelter-in-place, do not immediately evacuate the building. The alarm will be shut off, and the situation assessed. If the alarm is set off for a second time, then evacuate following the evacuation procedures for your location.

  The “all clear” signal is one long bell, followed by an announcement over the public address system by an administrator.

What-if…

RE: Shelter-in-Place

• Shelter-in-Place occurs during passing time, prior to, or after school?
  Proceed to the nearest classroom or other safe lockable room in order to shelter in place.
• Shelter-in-Place occurs during indoor P.E.?
  Remain in the gym.
• Shelter-in-Place occurs during outdoor P.E.?
  Return to the building through the main doors to TOPS where you will be directed where to shelter-in-place.
• Shelter-in-Place occurs during lunch?
  Proceed to the gym or a classroom, whichever is nearest to you.
• Shelter-in-Place occurs when you are in the hallway?
  Proceed to the nearest classroom or other safe lockable room in order to shelter in place.
• Shelter-in-Place occurs when you are in a room, but not your normal classroom?
  Do not leave your current location. Follow the shelter-in-place procedures for that location.
• You are in the building, but do not teach or have a class at the time of the Shelter-in-Place?
  If you are in a lockable room, remain there, or proceed to the nearest classroom or other safe lockable room in order to shelter in place.
• You are a TOPS staff member who by job description is not assigned to a specific classroom?
  If you are in a lockable room, remain there, or proceed to the nearest classroom or other safe lockable room in order to shelter in place.
• You are a visitor in the building during Shelter-in-Place?
  If you are in a lockable room, remain there, or proceed to the nearest classroom or other safe lockable room in order to shelter in place.
• You are on school grounds near to, but not in, the TOPS building at the time of a Shelter-in-Place?
  Note: Safety shelter-in-places sometimes occur due to a neighborhood incident.

  If the danger or threat is observed outside the building and close by, staff and students should evacuate that area as quickly and directly as possible, and then call 911.If you are near a TOPS building entrance and there are no indications that it is unsafe to do so, enter the building and proceed into the nearest, available, classroom or the gym to shelter in place there.