Emergency Information

An Emergency Information Form must be completed and returned to the school on opening day. In the event that a child becomes ill, it is imperative that school personnel be able to reach a parent/guardian. The school office must be notified of any changes in the information submitted on the form so that emergency information can be kept current throughout the school year.

When circumstances arise which may pose a danger to students and faculty (i.e. severe weather, heat failure, flooding, etc.), the school reserves the right to dismiss the student body. Appropriate notification of parents will be attempted via radio, TV, or homeroom phone trees.  The Superintendent of Salem schools determines the need for emergency dismissals unless the emergency is specific to SJRCS.

In the event of a crisis incident, parents should not call the school. Information will be given through the press and parents will need to tune to WMURTV (Channel 9), WCVBTV (Channel 5), or WZID Radio (95.7 FM). In an evacuation, parents will be told where to pick up their child. At the end of a "sheltering in place" or "lockdown", parents will be reunited with their child at the school. Please remember that, in an emergency situation, anyone picking up a child will most probably be asked to present identification. A child will not be allowed to go home with anyone who is not listed on the "blue" card.

Emergency Drills
All school entrances are kept locked during the school day.  Anyone wishing to gain admittance at any time must do so at the main entrance.  Upon entering the school, everyone must sign in at the reception desk and must be issued a pass that is to be worn in a visible manner.

There are times when an entrance may be unlocked for a specific reason (i.e. the gym doors are unlocked in the morning to allow students to enter for breakfast).  An unlocked entrance is always monitored by a staff member and should not be used to gain entry into the school.

Students are never allowed in hallways and classrooms before or after school unless they have been specifically directed to see a teacher or to meet with a staff member.  Students who are attending an after-school activity or sports practice/event are not allowed in any part of the building except the gym or activity room.  

All of these precautions are taken to maintain the safety of our students and to provide for the accountability of persons within the building during fire drills or unforeseen emergency situations.

A. Emergency Drills   

In case of an emergency during school hours, it is imperative that staff and students know how to respond.  In order to ensure a state of preparedness, practice drills are held throughout the year in compliance with state and local laws and guidelines.

Emergency exit routes are posted in every classroom and a Crisis Plan is in place.  All emergency drills are held under the supervision of the Administration.  Some emergency drills, especially fire drills, are carried out in the presence and at the direction of the Salem Fire Department.

The following guidelines will prevail for all emergency drills:
Everyone within the building (including visitors, parish staff, volunteers, etc.) must take part in the drill.  There can be no exceptions to this directive. All must remain silent and attentive to directives. Teachers and staff must be familiar with and must adhere to Emergency and Crisis Plan procedures. An emergency drill is not ended until a signal is given by an Administrator.  Only then may normal activity be resumed.

B. Parent Guide to Emergency Procedures

If an emergency situation were to occur in the area, or specifically at SJRCS, local safety officials would quickly take over and would direct whatever actions had to be taken to respond to the uniqueness of the situation.  In such an event, it would be important for parents to follow the guidelines listed below so that they could be safely reunited with their children. Parents are reminded that information on each student’s emergency card could be crucial and that it should be complete and up-to-date.

·        Parents should remain calm and they should not call the school.

·        The same radio and television stations used for reporting school closings during inclement weather would carry news of the event and would offer directives for parents to follow.

·        In the event of an evacuation, parents would be told where to pick up their children. It would be important to bring a picture ID and to follow directions of local officials at the pick-up spot.

·        In the event of a lockdown or sheltering in place, parents would not be allowed to pick up their children until the incident is over.  In such an emergency, nobody would be allowed to enter or leave the building.  Faculty and staff would do everything possible to keep students safe and comfortable.  Once the emergency situation has been terminated or brought under control, safety officials would direct the reunion of parents and students.  A picture ID may be needed.

·        In any emergency event, local safety officials will be in charge and the Administration will follow their directives.

For more information, please review our "Handbook"  for policies and procedures.