Keep Our Schools Safe
The purpose of the West Valley High School crisis plan is to promote a safe learning environment for staff, students, volunteers, and visitors. It is designed to address a wide variety of crises and emergencies, both catastrophic and moderate. The plan covers all phases of crisis management, including prevention, response, and recovery. It has been developed using current Revised Code of Washington (RCW) guidelines and best practices.
Safety Guidelines
Crisis management is a shared responsibility. West Valley High School has developed and maintains crisis teams that work together for planning and response.
The Crisis Planning Team works at the school level to identify safety and security needs, create plans to address safety needs, and communicate these plans to staff, students, and parents. The Crisis Planning Team meets once per month and includes teaching staff.
The Crisis Response Team responds during times of crisis by executing safety plans and procedures. The team meets at least twice a year (fall and spring, and other times as needed). The Crisis Response Team is composed of members (not teachers) who respond at a moment’s notice to situations that arise on campus.
The Threat Assessment Level 1 Team meets to evaluate possible threats posed by students and develop plans to address these threats. The team convenes as necessary. Team membership varies slightly depending on the situation but includes those trained in the threat assessment protocol. This includes administration, school counselors, and security. Law enforcement may be invited to participate as well.
Crisis Planning Team |
Crisis Response Team |
|---|---|
Expectations
|
Expectations
|
| Qualifications Crisis Planning Team members represent as many staff roles and viewpoints as possible and have the authority to make school-wide decisions. Members: Safety Lead - Klayton Wyckoff Principal - Ben McMurry Assistant Principal - Chance Dolezal Assistant Principal - Sarah Flickinger-Peterson SSO - Adam Eckert School Nurse - Stephanie Bendall Counselor - Cory Kingsbury Counselor - Sarah Rinaldi Teacher Rep 1 - Adam Eldridge Teacher Rep 2 - Kristin Johnson Teacher Rep 3 - Mindy Berreman Teacher Rep 4 - Shelly Nagle Secretary - Lisa Olden |
Qualifications Crisis Response Team members are on-site the majority of the day, are not teaching staff and have the authority to act decisively during crisis. Safety Lead - Klayton Wyckoff Principal - Ben McMurry Assistant Principal - Chance Dolezal Assistant Principal - Sarah Flickinger-Peterson Athletic Director - Jeff Jamieson SSO - Adam Eckert School Nurse - Stephanie Bendall Counselor - Cory Kingsbury Counselor - Sarah Rinaldi Secretary - Lisa Olden |
West Valley High School is a member of ESD 105’s School Safety Operations and Coordination Center (SSOCC). As such, the school receives a variety of safety services, the minimum of which is detailed here.
Monthly Progress Calls
SSOCC staff perform a monthly progress call with the Safety Lead to develop and implement school safety plans according to leading practice. They schedule and evaluate safety drills and meetings and provide other safety services. A separate monthly update call with the school Safety Lead keeps the school informed on progress and needs and helps guide top-level safety decisions.
School Safety Folder
SSOCC staff, in cooperation with the Safety Lead, maintain a school safety folder containing maps, resources, and meeting minutes as well as a progress tracker and safety portfolio. The safety folder is shared with all Crisis Team members (who have completed crisis team training) as well as emergency responders. The safety folder should be opened routinely in meetings and trainings to develop familiarity with its layout and contents.
Safety Portfolio
The safety portfolio contains a detailed record of all assets, procedures, drills, meetings, and personnel related to the crisis plan. It is found in the school safety folder and is a key component in prevention, response, and recovery. The portfolio is maintained and updated constantly by SSOCC staff in cooperation with the Safety Lead and Crisis Planning Team.
West Valley High School recognizes four primary responses to crisis (the Core Four): Evacuate, Lockdown, Secure and Teach, and Shelter in Place. There may be additional crisis responses practiced by the school (for example Drop, Cover, and Hold in response to an earthquake). Each month, one of these responses is practiced by our staff and students.
1. Lockdown
Response to: Threat of harm
- "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight"
- Close and lock internal and external doors
- Everyone into locked areas
- Pull interior and exterior blinds
- Don't be seen or heard (no talking)
- Run/Barricade/Fight
- Monitor communications
2. Secure & Teach
Response to: Threat of harm or other need to secure classrooms
- Close and lock external entrances
- Get students into classrooms
- Close and lock classroom doors
- Pull interior and exterior blinds
- Continue to teach and move about as communicated
- Monitor communications
3. Shelter in Place
Response to: Chemical, biological, or radioactive event
- Shelter in a safe area within the building
- Isolate the environment
- Shut of HVAC systems
- Head count and collect
- Monitor communications
4. Evacuation
Response to: Fire or other internal threat
- Wait for intercom or email announcement
- Exit the building and go to rally point
- Take attendance
- Show red or green clipboard
- Modified transportation as needed
- Monitor communications
Alerting and Communication
- Intercom: all call from any school phone
- Safepointe notify: Smart phone app and email
- Radios: Used by admin, office staff, PE, and security
Emergency Supplies
- AED: East commons wall, upper/lower mezzanine halls
- First aid: Nurse's office (main office)
- Trauma kits: East commons wall, upper/lower mezzanine halls
At West Valley High School, we greatly value the safety and security of the students in our care. We also recognize you as valuable partners in that process. The more we all know about our safety plans, the better we can protect our kids.
For that reason, we would like to share with you a brief overview of the four Crisis Responses we use in our school. These are the responses supported by our state government and used by most of the schools in the state. They have been reviewed and approved by law enforcement and fire departments. West Valley High School holds a drill every month, so our staff and students are prepared to respond quickly and efficiently in times of crisis. Signs should be posted in front entrances in case of drills or actual events—if you see one of these signs, do not enter the building or remain in the area. We would like you to know when, why, and how each one is used so that you can be a partner with us in making sure they are effective.
Lockdown
When It’s Activated: Definite threat of harm
Example: Active violent assailant
What Happens: All interior and exterior doors are locked, students are accounted for, and staff initiates emergency procedures.
What Parents Can Do:
- Check the school website, official school or district social media posts, and your email for updates. Do not rely on social media comments from the public.
- Do not approach the school or attempt to retrieve your child. Emergency vehicles need to be able to enter and exit the campus. Many extra cars can severely interrupt traffic flow for first responders.
- Do not attempt to communicate with the school as it might interrupt emergency communications.
In extreme cases, students may be evacuated to a reunification site where they may be retrieved by parents/guardians. To provide for the continuing safety of the students, this process will take some time and your patience is appreciated.
Secure and Teach
When It’s Activated: Potential threat of harm
Example: Social media rumor
What Happens: All interior and exterior doors are locked and students are accounted for. Staff and students continue to work as normal but remain on alert.
What Parents Can Do:
- Check the school website, official school or district social media posts, and your email for updates. Do not rely on social media comments from the public.
- You may attempt to contact the school for information but may not receive an immediate response.
- Depending on the situation, you may be allowed entry to the school. You should always make contact before approaching.
Shelter in Place
When It’s Activated: Chemical, biological, or radioactive event
Example: Ammonia leak
What Happens: Rooms are closed and secured and the HVAC system is shut down to prevent contamination. Students and staff remain stationary and secure.
What Parents Can Do:
- Check the school website, official school or district social media posts, and your email for updates. Do not rely on social media comments from the public.
- Check with your community office of emergency management for information on possible contamination in your area.
- Do not approach the school since you may be exposed to contamination yourself.
Evacuate
When It’s Activated: Internal threat
Example: Fire
What Happens: Students exit the school and gather in a pre-arranged rally point or alternate rally point.
What Parents Can Do:
- Check the school website, official school or district social media posts, and your email for updates. Do not rely on social media comments from the public.
- If the crisis is cleared and the school is deemed safe, students will return to class.
In extreme cases, students may be evacuated to a reunification site where they may be retrieved by parents/guardians. To provide for the continuing safety of the students, this process will take some time and your patience is appreciated.
West Valley High School will schedule and conduct a crisis response drill once per month as prescribed by RCW. These drills will include at least one each of the Core Four responses (Evacuate, Lockdown, Secure and Teach, Shelter in Place) and one state-mandated Earthquake drill. WVHS will take part in the Great American Shakeout Earthquake Drill annually in October.
All visitors to the school must sign in at the front office and receive a visitor badge. The badge will include the following information:
- Name of the visitor, date, time, and who they are visiting.
- When leaving, visitors must sign out and return the badge/sticker.
West Valley High School supports a strong “See Something? Say Something!” policy. Whenever staff or students see, hear, or feel something that seems out of place, unusual, or suspicious, they are to report it immediately to administration. This can be done in person, via email, or by using one of the anonymous reporting tools listed below.
Parents and community members are also an important part of keeping our schools safe. Be observant and contact the school office or law enforcement immediately if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous, or frightened, and especially if you see or hear of dangerous threats or behavior. Avoid posting alarming comments and questions on social media as they may lead to panic, rumors, and dangerous overreactions.
SSOCC "See Something? Say Something!" One Page Reference Sheet