(Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND – Grand Island Public Schools will be conducting a Reunification Drill on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb.12 to help strengthen school safety, Superintendent Matt Fisher said Feb. 6.
“Since there are no students in school that day, it provides the perfect opportunity for our team to engage in training without interrupting student learning,” Fisher said. “We already have a team of staff and parent volunteers set to help us with the drill.
“This is only a drill that will give us an opportunity to practice the plans we have in place,” he said.
He explained what reunification is.
“The Standard Reunification is the process of safely returning students to their parents or guardians following a school-related evacuation. Reunification is an important component of our safety protocol that ensures every child is accounted for and safely handed over to the correct authorized adult in the event of an emergency,” Fisher said.
You may learn more about the Standard Reunification Method at iloveyouguys.org.
Fisher described what the public can expect to see on Feb. 12.
“During this drill, we are proud to partner with the Grand Island Police Department (GIPD), the Grand Island Fire Department (GIFD), and our local Emergency Services,” Fisher said.
Fisher said that people may notice the following:
- A number of emergency vehicles and personnel on-site at two of the school district’s buildings that afternoon.
- Communication alerts on the school district’s website as the school district will be testing its notification systems. A small group of parent volunteers will be receiving texts, emails, or calls marked as “Drill.”
- Do not be alarmed by the activity around the school district’s buildings that afternoon; it is a controlled, planned exercise.
“By practicing these steps with our local safety agencies, we strengthen our response and our commitment to school safety. We want to keep you informed so you can remain informed and reassured that this is simply a practice session,” Fisher said.
