School Zone 12-20-12

VERMILIONSCHOOLS.ORG NOW ON MOBILE

The Vermilion Local Schools web site is now adaptable for viewing on all mobile devices. The good news is you have a choice on your viewing preference.  The next time you view our website on a tablet or Smartphone, the site will automatically detect your mobile device, display the mobile view and will remember it each time you return. If you change your mind, look for the “Full Site/Mobile” button on the footer of the web site to toggle back and forth.  In addition to view choices, our new mobile view offers additional features like:

·         A responsive design that adjusts to any display size

·         Dynamic imagery with color and photos

·         Collapsible navigation

·         Language translation

·         Search function

·         Scrolling banners

·         Calendar Highlights

·         Quick Links

 Please visit http://vermilionschools.org/vnews/display.v/ART/50cf23e0ad88a for more information about this new option. 

TRAGEDY IN CONNECTICUT

The senseless tragedy that occurred in Connecticut last week sent shockwaves through the nation’s schools.  Those of us who work in school buildings can relate to the horrific nature of what must have occurred that day, and we can’t help but focus on the “what if’s”.  We must ask the difficult question of whether we are prepared to handle a similar situation. 

The Vermilion School Crisis Response plan was created in 2000 and it has been reviewed and updated annually.  Key members of the district’s Crisis Response team include the assistant superintendent, building principals, teachers, classified personnel and representatives from the Vermilion Police and Fire Departments.  Every staff member receives a copy of the plan and it is available at each building for review by the parents or guardians of our students.  Recently our security camera and door security systems were updated to take advantage of new technology.  In the past 12 months all of our staff members participated in the “ALiCE program, a crisis response training that provides teachers and support staff with strategies to use when dealing with an intruder. 

The Crisis Response Plan addresses the following emergencies/situations:  injuries, severe weather, utility emergencies, toxic spills, building evacuations, fire, bomb threats, lockdown procedures, intruder, hostage, child abduction, suicide threats, death of a student or staff member and bus accidents.  Below is a summary of our action plan for each of these emergencies:

Safety Inspections:  Inspections are completed every year by the State fire marshal, Erie County Health Inspector (food preparation and building maintenance) and Ohio Highway Patrol (school buses).  The facilities are made available to the county emergency management department on request.  Fire and tornado drills are conducted annually on a schedule mandated by the State. 

Building evacuation:  Each building has an evacuation plan for fire and other situations.  Students are evacuated from the building and are not permitted to re-enter until authorized by the building administrator and/or safety forces.  If the evacuation is expected to last for a prolonged period, students will be moved into the next nearest school building.  If both buildings need to be evacuated, students will be moved to a secondary evacuation site.

Building lockdown procedures:  Each month every building conducts a lockdown drill that provides training for students and staff in case of an intruder or other threat.  During a lockdown drill all doors in the building are locked.  In the middle school gates are pulled down and locked.  Staff and students remain in a “stay-put” mode in their classroom.  Blinds are pulled and staff and students move to an area in the classroom away from the door and windows.  Entry into any area is under the authority of the building principal.  The School Safety Officer, School Resource Officer and Vermilion safety forces are sometimes involved in the lockdown drills. 

Building security:  All exterior doors of our school buildings are kept locked throughout the school day.  All visitors must enter through the main entrance and be granted access by a designated staff member.  All visitors must sign in at the office and wear a visitor name tag while in the building.  All staff members are instructed to report any unauthorized persons to the office immediately.  All staff are required to wear picture identification badges in the buildings at all times.  All buildings are equipped with security systems which include video monitoring both inside and outside the building.  Building floor plans are on file with the police and fire departments.  Room numbers are displayed in windows and all exits are numbered for ease of communication with safety forces. 

Bus safety:  All buses are inspected annually by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and randomly throughout the year.  Bus drivers are required to take annual physicals and are subject to random monthly drug testing.  Buses practice emergency evacuation drills on a regular basis.  All buses are in constant radio contact with the Transportation Supervisor and Board of Education offices.  Buses going out of town on field trips are issued cellular telephones in case of an emergency.

Nursing staff:  School nurses are hired through the Erie County General Health District.  The nurses are on duty throughout the student day and are on call for all schools in event of an emergency.

Safe Schools Hotline:  The district subscribes to a toll-free SAFE SCHOOLS HOTLINE that can be used by students, staff or residents to anonymously report any safety concern.  Key district personnel are notified when a report is made and will investigate accordingly.  VERMILION SCHOOLS SAFE SCHOOLS HELPLINE:  1-866 Listen2Me (1-866-447-8362).

Cooperation with Safety Forces:  The Vermilion Police Department, Vermilion Fire Department and Lorain County SWAT team have used school facilities for training on a regular basis.  This benefits the schools because safety forces become familiar with our schools and other facilities.  Our Safety Plan is on file with the Ohio Attorney General’s office and local law enforcement agencies. 

Handicapped accessibility:  In an effort to safely serve our students, parents and the general public, numerous handicapped accessibility issues have been addressed.  Elevators and ramps were installed to help make our buildings nearly 100% handicapped accessible. 

Following the recent tragedy in Connecticut a number of followers posted suggestions on the Vermilion Schools Facebook page.  The ideas ranged from metal detectors and full time armed security guards to guns for each staff member.   These and other ideas are being considered by communities across the nation.  There is no perfect solution to this problem.  However, in Vermilion we will continue to collaborate with the fire department, health officials and State and local law enforcement agencies to review our Crisis Plan and improve our facilities.  We will continue to do all that we can to provide a safe educational environment for our students.