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Keeping Children Safe
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Parkway Schools works to ensure schools and facilities are safe and secure environments for students, staff, and visitors. The district has a comprehensive critical incident response plan that identifies planning, response, and recovery measures necessary to fulfill this responsibility. Parkway places great importance on school and district staff knowing their responsibilities during a school emergency.
Parkway has established an emergency procedure in every school building. Each school principal has designated areas in the building that are best suited for the protection of students during emergencies.
District training includes an annual review of the district’s plan and annual training for principals and staff. School fire inspections, safety and security audits, and safety drills for students and staff are routinely conducted. Emergency communications systems are tested regularly and each school is equipped with emergency weather warning systems.
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Staying Informed
Staying Informed
Parkway Connect is our automated communications system for general information and emergency messages. Parents will receive phone calls, emails and/or text messages in the event of an emergency at your child’s school.
Keep your Information Updated
It’s important to keep your contact information updated so we can contact you in the event of an emergency. Login to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal here or update your settings in the Infinite Campus Parent app.
Other Sources of Emergency Information
Emergency communications will also be available on Parkway’s website at www.parkwayschools.net as well Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. -
Safety Measures
Schools comply with federal school safety directives and Missouri state requirements for educational facilities. The plans ensure that the district is responsive to a variety of critical incidents.
These measures include:-
24/7 on-site Parkway security department, cameras, alarm systems and physical security checks at all buildings
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Employee ID badges and visitor screening and ID requirements
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Interior and exterior security cameras in all schools
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Single point of entry during school hours
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Emergency communications and messaging systems and lockdown buttons
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Emergency 24/7 safety tip line
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Police officers from local agencies in all middle and high schools (SROs); regular contact with and patrolling of elementary schools
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Video cameras on school buses
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Classroom panic buttons
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Double-entry security vestibules at front entrances
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Intruder resistant safety film on doors and windows
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Safety drills for fire, tornado, earthquake and intruder
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Intruder training for all employees
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Crisis Response Teams in every school/building
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Crisis Response Manuals
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Emergency response procedures and training for staff
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Regional partnerships and frequent planning with local police, fire and emergency medical services
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Emergency Response Guide for Staff and Students
Parkway uses a color coded alert system to notify staff and students of the need to respond to an immediate emergency in a school/building. Please see below for more detailed information regarding Parkway's procedures.
Code Red: A code red occurs when there is an immediate hostile threat to a school. This may involve a weapon on campus, an intruder or any event in which students and staff members may be endangered. A Code Red announcement is made in plain language so that all staff members and students seek immediate cover in a locked room. All school activities cease and 911 is called. All staff members and students remain in lockdown until released by law enforcement.
Code Yellow (Shelter in Place): A Code Yellow (Shelter-in-Place) is a temporary measure designed to prevent unauthorized persons or visitors from entering the building. During Code Yellow, all exterior doors are locked, and the main entrance is monitored by administrators, security or the school resource officer (SRO). This procedure allows the school to continue with the normal school day, but outside activity is curtailed. It is most commonly used when a law enforcement incident is actively occurring outside a school building, on or off school property. Depending on the specific incident, students may be required to remain in school for an extended period of time until the all clear is given by authorities.Code Blue (Severe Weather): A Severe Weather Alert us used when students and staff need to take cover due to severe weather such as a Tornado Warning.
Code Green (All Clear): A Code Green (All Clear) is used when another emergency response is canceled, such as a Code Red, Code Yellow or Severe Weather Alert. Code Green is the normal (safe) condition we are in every day. What you will hear: Code Green: All Clear (followed by additional instructions). Wait for additional instructions from a recognized administrator or emergency responder. Resume normal activities only when directed to do so.
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What Parents Need to Know in an Emergency
Students will not be released to parents during a Code Yellow (shelter-in-place) since school personnel will not open exterior doors during this time. Once authorities have established that the environment is safe and a Code Green (all clear), students will be released to parents/guardians.
Parents will not be permitted to pick up their children during a Code Red (lockdown) until released by an administrator or law enforcement. This restricted access will be done only when absolutely necessary and with the best interest of the students and the staff in mind.Certain emergency situations may require us to evacuate and leave the school campus. If this occurs, students will be taken by bus to an alternate, safe location away from the school to reunite with parents. Parkway has partnerships with local community organizations that allow us to use their facilities as emergency reunification locations if ever necessary. If an emergency reunification is necessary, parents will be notified of the location so they can come and pick up their child/ren.
During emergencies, students will only be released to authorized parents/guardians or to those who possess written permission from a parent or guardian. Everyone picking up students will be required to present proper identification for students to be released.