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School / Student Safety Information

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In case of a disaster, such as a sighted tornado, all students, staff, and any visitors present in the building should follow disaster procedures that are posted in each room. All school employees are given a copy of MCS’s safety/emergency guidelines, which address plans for various hazards and emergencies. We practice drills periodically with students and staff in each building, including evacuation, lockdown/intruder, tornado, and earthquake.
 
Students will NOT be released to parents during an emergency school lockdown. Marion Community Schools works closely with local emergency responders, some of whom serve on our District Safety Team. Emergency personnel also observe safety drills and collaborate on our safety and security plans. 
 
In the event of a storm warning, tornado alert, or other serious weather conditions, children will be retained at school. If severe storm warnings come at the time school is normally dismissed, the principal will use his/her discretion regarding the release of students. (When a tornado warning is in place, students will be held in shelter. Staff members will also be in shelter and supervising / directing / acting as needed. If a tornado warning comes near usual dismissal time, dismissal will be delayed and students will be held in shelter until the warning expires or is lifted. If buses are on the road when a tornado warning is issued, they will comply with Transportation Department procedures and instructions, with the priority of getting all involved to the safest place possible as quickly as possible. School buildings are among the safest spaces during a severe storm. Any parents or visitors on school property at the time of a severe weather warning are encouraged to come inside and shelter with us.) 
 
In the event of an extreme emergency, Marion Community Schools will provide as much information as possible via available channels, including our website, social media, local media outlets, and School Messenger. It is very important that all parents/guardians review their emergency contact information regularly, to make sure that your school has current information and an up-to-date emergency phone number.
 
For more information, see the “Care of Students in an Emergency” below.
MEMO
 
TO:  Parents of Marion Community Schools students
FROM: Marion Community Schools Superintendent
SUBJECT: Care of students during an emergency
 
This letter is intended to inform parents of plans for the care of students during an emergency situation.  
 
Disasters can come without warning. According to policy established by the Board of School Trustees, the Superintendent of Schools is vested with the authority to temporarily close the schools when he/she feels that conditions warrant such action.  These emergency conditions may be classified into the following categories:
 
  1. Extreme weather conditions involving snow, tornado, flood, or earthquake
  2. Fire or explosion
  3. Loss of electrical power, water, or heat
  4. Any man-made disaster
In the event of an extreme emergency, Marion Community Schools will provide as much information as possible via available channels, including our website, social media, local media outlets, and School Messenger. It is very important that all parents/guardians review their emergency contact information regularly, to make sure that your school has current information and an up-to-date emergency phone number.

The following plan has been adopted by school administrators to guide the action of school personnel in the event of an emergency when classes are in session:
 
AN EMERGENCY DURING SCHOOL HOURS
  1. In the event of a storm warning, tornado alert, or other serious weather conditions, children will be retained at school. If severe storm warnings come at the time school is normally dismissed, the principal will use his/her discretion regarding the release of students. (When a tornado warning is in place, students will be held in shelter. Staff members will also be in shelter and supervising / directing / acting as needed. If a tornado warning comes near usual dismissal time, dismissal will be delayed and students will be held in shelter until the warning expires or is lifted. If buses are on the road when a tornado warning is issued, they will comply with Transportation Department procedures and instructions, with the priority of getting all involved to the safest place possible as quickly as possible. School buildings are among the safest spaces during a severe storm. Any parents or visitors on school property at the time of a severe weather warning are encouraged to come inside and shelter with us.)

  2. If children know their parents are not at home, and if arrangements have not been made for an emergency home with neighbors, the children involved should remain at school until the emergency condition subsides.

  3. Parents should advise their children of the home to go to in the event school is dismissed under emergency conditions when they (the parents) are not at home. Parents are encouraged to make these arrangements in advance with the party involved.

  4. The Superintendent will notify the building principals and news media if the children are to be sent home in an emergency. However, if lines of communication are not in operation, the building principal will use his/her judgment in determining when the school is to be closed under emergency conditions. If the principal decides to release students, he/she will then notify the Superintendent or his/her representative, if possible, who will in turn inform the news media. 
If a student is injured at school or at a school event, they must report the injury to a teacher and/or school official immediately. An incident report form must be completed and turned in to the school principal’s office. 
When the school administration has reasonable suspicion to believe that weapons or other illegal metal objects are in the possession of an identified student, the administration is authorized to use a mobile metal detector to search the student. Any search of a student's person as a result of the activation of the detector will be conducted in private and in accordance with the policy on personal searches. Only school personnel who have been trained in the usage of metal detectors, law enforcement officers assigned to the school corporation, or school resource officers shall operate the metal detectors under the direction of the administration. Please see the full Board Policy 3307 for more information. 

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