Emergency Contacts and Contact Information
It is very important that teachers and staff have your current home, cell, and/or work phone numbers and at least two alternative emergency phone numbers of family, friends or neighbors who will take responsibility for your child if we cannot reach you. Students will only be released to parents/guardians and emergency contacts. Please update information including phone numbers and address as they change via Skyward Family Access.
Injury at School
If your child is injured seriously at school, we will contact you immediately. If we cannot reach you, we will use the emergency contact information you have provided. If we cannot reach you or your emergency contacts, we are authorized to seek medical help for your child, and may call 911 for support.
Severe Weather
In the event of inclement/severe weather, the decision to close school will be announced through television, Skylerts, and the district webpage. Recess “in-days” will be determined by the principal or designee based on weather conditions and air quality. Student dress should always reflect the weather conditions. If appropriate attire cannot be attained by the family, please speak with the principal for help. Students not dressed for the weather conditions may not be allowed to go outside for recess or other outdoor activities.
Ridgecrest Elementary
School Emergency Procedures
Guidelines for parents to follow in case of a school emergency
Ridgerest Elementary is committed to providing a safe environment for students, staff, parents and visitors. We work closely with district and local safety officials – police, fire, emergency medical services, and public health – in order to ensure our school is well prepared for an emergency. We have developed procedures that serve as a guide to help staff and our public safety partners respond swiftly should a crisis occur at our school.
As a parent, how can you prepare for a school emergency?
Provide accurate emergency contact information (including email) to office and notify the school if this information changes.
Tune in to local television and radio stations for news alerts. During an emergency, we can anticipate that phone lines into the affected school(s) may be blocked. In order not to interfere with emergency responders, we ask that parents wait to receive important information from school officials before going to the school or scene of an emergency. You can be confident that accurate and timely information will be released to parents, the public, and the media during any emergency incident via the Canyons District Communications Department.
What is Lockdown and Shelter-in-Place?
“Lockdown” is a common school security practice used to secure a building. It will be implemented in the event of a campus emergency or crisis that requires students and staff to seek safety within the building. During this type of emergency, the safest place for students is locked securely in their classrooms inside the school building. All outside doors and all classroom doors will be locked if the school is in Lockdown. During a Lockdown, no one except uniformed law enforcement will be allowed to enter the building. This means that parents will not be admitted and students will not be released to parents while the school is under Lockdown. No one will leave the building unless under the direction of emergency responders or until after local authorities give the all clear.
As the situation demands, the school may be put under a “Shelter-in-Place” order. This procedure is used in the event that a threat is possible, but not imminent. All outside doors will be locked if the school is in Shelter-in-Place. Classes and movement within the school will carry on as usual with the exception that no students or staff will be permitted to leave the building. As in a Lockdown, no one except uniformed law enforcement will be allowed to enter the building. This means that parents will not be admitted and students will not be released to parents while the school is under a Shelter-in-Place.
What will my child experience during a Lockdown or Shelter-in-Place?
A Lockdown or Shelter-in-Place begins with an announcement instructing all students to either remain in the building and/or remain in the room that they are in or immediately enter the nearest classroom which is manned by a staff member. During a Lockdown, students remain in their locked classrooms while authorities secure the school. During a Shelter-in-Place, students carry on activities inside the school while all students and staff are required to stay inside the building. When authorities are confident the building is secure, an all‐clear announcement will be made.
If the school is evacuated, how will I be able to locate my child?
Evacuation procedures are implemented during an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake or other disaster, when it is determined that students and staff will be safer outside the building or at a location away from the campus. If at all safe and possible, we will assemble the students on the field south of the school.
Parents or guardians will be notified through the automated School Messenger system (Skylert). They will be directed to a specific location where they will be required to show proper identification. Remember, a student can only be released to a parent/guardian or an adult who is documented as an emergency contact. If you are a non‐custodial parent, you must be listed in your child’s emergency contact information as a guardian and you must show proper identification.
Ridgecrest Elementary is prepared for an emergency.
As a parent, you should feel confident in knowing that we provide, on an annual basis, emergency response training to all school personnel. We have identified staff members with assigned roles and responsibilities to perform during an emergency. We conduct emergency drills throughout the school year, so that students and staff are aware of the most effective and safe emergency responses.
If you see something, say something
Ensuring school safety is everyone’s responsibility – staff, students, parents and the entire community. Please report any safety concerns you may have to the principal.
