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Dear Parent:
Because we live in challenging times, we have added a new chapter to our school safety and security plan. This plan was designed with the help of our school security staff members, as well as local law enforcement, emergency management, and public health officials. It is regularly reviewed and updated. The plan includes procedures to respond to critical incidents, like fire and tornadoes, and we practice these drills regularly. Now, we, along with other Fairfax County schools, have added an additional procedure, called shelter-in-place—a tool to protect students in the event of potential exposure to a dangerous chemical in the atmosphere.
If a dangerous chemical were released in the community and posed a threat to students during the school day, we would be directed—most likely by public health or safety officials—to bring all students and staff members indoors; including those in trailers; to shut down all heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; and to close and secure all doors and windows. The neutral atmospheric pressure created by these actions would create a barrier and help keep chemical agents from leaking into the building
This approach has proven to be safe–much safer than evacuating students into a contaminated outdoor environment. In fact, no person protected by a shelter-in-place procedure has died as a result of any of the 35 major chemical accidents in this country over the last 20 years.
During a shelter-in-place incident, public safety officials will secure the school building, and no people will be allowed in or out of the building until an all-clear signal is given. While we protect our students in the school building, we recognize that—for their own safety—our parents will be sheltered in their own homes or places of work. The school division will make every effort to communicate the status of our students to you and the community. We encourage you to register with our Keep in Touch e-mail notification program (www.fcps.edu), which allows the school division to send messages directly to your office or home computer. The school division will use its web page and Channel 21, as well as all media outlets, to broadcast messages.
Fairfax County Public Schools continues to take proactive measures to protect the safety of all our students and staff members. FCPS representatives sit on the Fairfax County local emergency planning committees and emergency management teams, the groups that are planning our community’s responses to potential threats. Our plans are made in concert with all other local emergency preparedness plans.
I will continue to keep you informed of safety and security measures in place at XXXX School. If you have questions, please call me at XXXXX. I appreciate your continued support in these matters.
Sincerely yours,
Principal
Last update:
June 8, 2005
Curator: Rose Kaspersen, Rose.Kaspersen@fcps.edu