Salida School District staff members met on August 2, 2024 to review safety protocol in preparation for the upcoming school year. The annual training is comprehensive for all admin, managers, and front office staff members.

During the training attendees reviewed the SRP (Standard Response Protocol), which outlines the protocol in place for staff, students, and local first responders on how to respond to different types of situations, including Lockdown, Secure, Hold, and Evacuate. The group also discussed details of the Emergency Operations Plan that is in place to coordinate between agencies in different scenarios. Teachers and other staff members reviewed their roles as they returned to school this week.

Salida Schools also focus on the mental health and well-being of all students, with a goal of knowing each student by name and by need. Every staff member is tasked with prioritizing student connection in order to help each child feel protected and safe.

The district participates in mandated drills during the school year, with one state-mandated evacuation drill and one SRP drill at each campus per month. The district has committed to making one of the SRP drills at the start of each school year a reunification drill, which have been scheduled as follows:

· Longfellow Elementary School 8/28 – Kindergarten

· Salida Middle School 9/11 – 5th graders

· The Crest Academy 9/12 – 5th graders

· Horizons Exploratory Academy 9/19 – 9th graders

· Salida High School 9/25 – 9th graders

Salida Early Childhood Center (SECC) will not have a reunification drill, as they practice direct release to parents/guardians at the end of every school day.

Reunification is a critical aspect of crisis response as the District is accountable to make sure students are connected with their parents or guardians in the event of a school crisis or emergency. The Standard Reunification Method provides school and district safety teams with proven methods for planning, practicing and achieving a successful reunification. A predetermined, practiced reunification method ensures the reunification process will not further complicate what is probably already a chaotic, anxiety-filled

scene. In fact, putting an orderly reunification plan into action can help defuse difficult situations.

Parents and community members are invited to a Safety Q&A session on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at the SHS auditorium. Superintendent Dr. David Blackburn will review the SRP, EOP, required drills, appropriate use of the Safe2Tell system, and be available to answer questions.

The district hosted a multi-agency active shooter training in July for local first responders to practice their coordinated response in the event of a large scale emergency. They day included a debrief with participants reviewing the day’s activities to identify areas of success and opportunities for improvement. This training will also become an annual drill during the summer months while students are not in the building.

For additional information please contact Kim LeTourneau at 719-530-5225 or kletourneau@salidaschools.org.