School Safety

Keeping our staff and students safe is a top priority in Mead School District! RCW 28A.320.125 requires all public school districts and public schools to have current school safety plans and procedures in place. We work closely with our local first responders and department of emergency management in preparing for, responding to, and mitigating emergency incidents that may occur at our schools.

We are committed to providing safe places for students to learn and staff to provide a quality education.

School Delays and Closures

In the event of a severe weather event or some other unforeseen circumstance, the Mead School District may delay the start of school or close schools for the day. Read more about our delay/closure process here.

Safety & Security Measures

Single-Point of Entry
Visitor ID Check
Campus & Bus Video Surveillance
Safety Drills & Protocols
Threat Assessment Procedures
Family Reunification Plan

Safety Terms & Procedures

Standard Response Protocol Logo SRP Parent Handout

Hold

In Your Classroom or Area

Hold is called when halls and/or common areas need to be clear until an incident is resolved. Activation examples: Student medical issue.

Students

Clear the hallways and remain in their area or room until the “All Clear” is announced
Do business as usual

Adults & Staff

Close and lock the door
Account for students and adults
Do business as usual

Secure

Get Inside & Lock Outside Doors

Secure is called when there is something dangerous outside of the building. Activation examples: Animal on grounds or nearby; criminal activity in the area.

Students

Return to inside of building
Do business as usual

Adults & Staff

Bring everyone indoors
Lock the outside doors
Increase situational awareness
Account for students and adults
Do business as usual

Lockdown

Locks, Lights, Out of Sight

Lockdown is called when there is an active threat inside or very close to the building. Activation examples: hostage incident, criminal activity in the area, active shooter.

Students

Move away from sight
Maintain silence
Do not open the door

Adults & Staff

Recover students from hallway if possible
Lock the classroom door
Turn out the lights
Move away from sight
Maintain silence
Do not open the door
Prepare to evade or defend

Evacuate

Move to a Location

Evacuate is called when a building needs to be vacated and students & staff need moved to a new location. Activation examples: fire, chemical release, extended power or heating system failure.

Students

Leave stuff behind if required to
If possible, bring their phone
Follow instructions

Adults & Staff

Bring roll sheet and Go Bag (unless instructed not to bring anything with them, dependent on reason for evacuation.)
Lead students to Evacuation location
Account for students and adults
Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.

Shelter

State Hazard & Safety Strategy

Shelter is called when students & staff may remain inside the building; may need to relocate to a different location within the building, seal the room, drop-cover-hold, get to higher ground Activation examples: chemical release, chemical spills, extreme weather.

Students

Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies

Adults & Staff

Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies
Accounting for students and adults
Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.

More SRP Information

School Resource Deputies (SRDs)

Mead School District has contracted with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to provide commissioned law enforcement School Resource Deputies (SRDs) supporting our schools. Each SRD is assigned schools within the area in which they provide service.

School Safety & Security | Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Deputy Troy Knutson & Deputy Mitch Othmer

For non-emergency concerns, please contact your child's school directly and an administrator will connect with the SRD. In an emergency situation, call 9-1-1.

Safety & Crisis Resources

Student Safety Measures

Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying Information (HIB), Emergency Preparedness Plan, Internet Safety, Report a Concern

Mental Health Support

Support with suicide, mental health, substance abuse, eating disorder crisis

Counseling Center

School counselors & social workers supporting students social/emotional needs

School Emergency & Reunification

Although your first reaction may be to call or rush to your child’s school, please review the following tips.

Parent Responsibilities

In a school emergency, the first instinct as a parent is to pick up the telephone and start calling the school or rush up to the school to get your child/children. This can complicate matters from a safety, security and emergency response standpoint. It can hinder the rescue attempts of police and fire officials, and can interfere with emergency medical responders, who may be needed on the scene.

How I will be notified?

How I will be Reunited?

Parents/guardians will be directed by school officials or public safety officers to their child’s specific location, following an emergency.

Students will be released ONLY to parents or guardians who are documented as emergency contacts and who present a picture ID such as a driver’s license, military ID or passport.

The reunification process can be time consuming, so parents are urged to be patient.

How can parents help?

Ensure that your child’s emergency contact information is complete, accurate and current. Become familiar with the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) K12.

DO rely only on official communications from the school or public safety officials.
DO tune into local TV/Radio stations for official school news alerts.
DO listen for official information regarding reunification with your child.
DO NOT rush to your child’s school. Your presence could interfere with emergency responders and block roads. Also, you will not be allowed in the school during a lockdown.
DO NOT phone your child or school. Staff and students are discouraged from using cell phone communication for safety reasons. The sound from a call could put your child at risk in a lockdown situation. It is important to keep the school’s lines of communication open for emergency response. Staff will be focused on student safety.