Oregon City School District regularly uses ParentSquare to contact families via email, phone or text.

In the event of a disaster related emergency, Oregon City School District will work with Clackamas County Emergency Management to utilize the Clackamas County Public Alerts Notification System.

FlashAlert is used to communicate weather related emergencies.

Oregon City School District utilizes the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) to guide its emergency response and crisis management protocols.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides consistency that helps emergency responders from different areas cooperate effectively and efficiently in responding to the same critical incident.

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized approach to incident management that is used for all types of incidents by all organizations and at all levels of government.

These standardized frameworks provide a structured and coordinated approach to effectively manage incidents and ensure the safety of students, staff, and the school community as a whole.

By incorporating NIMS and ICS, Oregon City School District can improve Emergency Management capabilities and ensure a coordinated and effective response to emergencies.

Each school site has the following emergency resources:

• First Aid Kits: Each site has essential first aid supplies.

• Emergency Buckets: Classrooms are provided with buckets containing basic emergency supplies and water.

• Radio Systems: for maintaining communication during crises. These two-way radios ensure that staff can stay connected and relay important information even when traditional communication methods fail.

In the event of an emergency at school, families are urged to follow these important steps:

• Stay Informed: Monitor district communications, such as automated calls, texts, emails and the district website for real-time updates and instructions.

• Avoid the School Campus: Do not go to the school, as this can interfere with emergency response efforts. Instead, wait for instructions on where and when to reunite with your student.

• Follow Reunification Procedures: If a reunification site is designated, bring proper identification and follow the procedures outlined by the school or district to ensure a safe and orderly process.

Make a Plan- Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it’s important to know how you’ll reconnect if separated. Ready.gov has a resource available to create a Family Emergency Communication Plan.

Build a Kit- Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

Be Informed- By signing up to receive emergency alerts, residents can opt-in to receive critical emergency messaging via email, phone call and text during times of disasters. Important messages that could be relayed include notices to evacuate, shelter-in-place, shelter locations and other extremely important information. You can sign up for Clackamas County Public Alerts here.

Oregon City School District utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP). The SRP is based on five actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter. In the event of an emergency, the action and appropriate direction will be called on the intercom.

HOLD - "Hold in your classroom. Clear the halls."

SECURE - "Get inside, lock outside doors."

LOCKDOWN - "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight"

EVACUATE - "To the Announced Location"

SHELTER - "For a hazard using a safety strategy"

SRP - PARENT HANDOUT - English

SRP - PARENT HANDOUT - Spanish (el Protocolo de Respuesta Estándar)

Circumstances may occur at the school that require parents to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release. The process of controlled release is called a reunification and may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, hazmat or if a crisis occurs at the school.  The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved.  Because a controlled release is not a typical end of school day event, a reunification may occur at  different location than the school a student attends.

HOW REUNIFICATION WORKS:

For students: The school asks that students be orderly and quiet while waiting. Students may be asked to text a message to their parents or guardians. Students are also asked not to send other text messages either in or out of the school or reunification area. Keeping the cellular network usage at a minimum may be important during a reunification.

For parents: If a parent is driving to the school, greater awareness of traffic and emergency vehicles is advised. Parents should park where indicated and not abandon vehicles. Parents are asked to go to the Reunification "Check In" area and form lines based on the first letter of their student's last name. While in line, parents are asked to fill out a reunification card. This card is perforated and will be separated during the process. Some of the same information is repeated on both the top and separated bottom of the card. Parents are asked to complete all parts of the card. In case of multiple students being reunified, a separate card for each student needs to be completed.

PARENT EXPECTATIONS: 

Bring ID

Be Patient. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian.

Make sure student's emergency contact list is up to date. Students will only be released to previously identified as a students emergency contact.

Stay connected to the district’s communication methods, ie: Facebook, Twitter, FlashAlert, voicemail alerts, e-mail and the district website for continued information updates.