Policies/Procedures:

• The Associate Head of School coordinates a monthly fire drill and maintains a written record of the date and time of each drill.
• All fire lane routes shall be clearly painted and free from obstruction.
• Each classroom has an evacuation plan prominently displayed.
• Each scholar learns and practices reaching a pre-determined, safe gathering location.
• Each classroom teacher instructs the class on the correct route to quickly and safely leave the building. Alternate routes must be practiced and used if the most convenient (planned) exit is unavailable.
• Each classroom teacher ensures scholars realize the importance of fire drills and of the need to exit buildings quickly, quietly, and safely. The teacher maintains complete control of the class so that instructions can be given quickly and changes (when required) can be communicated and followed immediately.
• In the event of an actual fire or visible signs of a pending fire, the nearest fire call box should be activated.
• Upon hearing the continuous fire bell/tone, teachers and scholars immediately, calmly, and safely evacuate the building. Teachers ensure the planned route remains safe. Avoid Elevators.
• If time allows, turn off the lights and electrical equipment which may cause shortages or sparks.
• When evacuating, teachers should have a first aid kit, mag lock key, classroom key, scholar emergency contact info, and a means of communication (cell phones and two-way radios).
• Evacuating scholars remain in their class groups and gather at the assigned assembly areas. Teachers carry their class records and ensure all scholars are present.
• Scholars outside their assigned rooms (i.e. tutoring room, library, or bathroom) evacuate the building immediately and report to the assigned assembly area.
• Classes quietly await the “all-clear” to re-enter the building OR await further direction.

Destination points:

• Foster Hall (1st and 2nd Floor) - Foster Parking Lot, outside fence
• McNeil Gym - Upper Broadway, outside back fence
• Munds Hall/Water Street - Cross the Parking Lot to Tree Line
• Middle School - Corner of Park Avenue and Carancahua Streets or Middle School Parking Lot
• Art Studio, Frazier Center, Library - Corner of Park Avenue and Carancahua Streets

Policies/Procedures:

When a weather emergency occurs, the Head of School will send a FACTS Family Portal emergency alert to communicate with the School Community and will inform the local TV and radio networks. Parents are also advised to check the School website (www.sjes.org) for updates and current information regarding an emergency or school closure.

• The School monitors the weather when alerted to the possibility of a weather emergency.
• When a weather emergency occurs during the School day, scholars are safest within the School buildings and parents are discouraged from driving to campus during a weather emergency to remove their scholars from School.

Weather emergencies vary, as do the appropriate responses. At the heart of each response, the supervising adult shall decide to follow the safest procedure currently available using the following guidelines:

Severe Thunderstorms/Lightning/Rain:

• Teachers shall immediately find safe shelter for scholars.
• Teachers shall instruct scholars indoors to remain in classrooms, or other rooms on campus where they are presently located. Unsheltered outdoor areas during stormy conditions should be avoided.

Tornadoes:

• The School conducts regular Shelter in Place drills to prepare appropriately.
• Teachers will be informed when a “tornado watch” (conditions favor the development) or a “tornado warning” (a tornado has been visually verified) has been issued. Such alerts are not shared with scholars but are shared with adults to facilitate rapid response.
• In the event a “tornado warning” places the School in the path of an oncoming tornado, teachers must move quickly to a designated safe area without exterior windows.
  • Foster: Primary School hallway with all doors closed
  • Water Street: The hallway by the elevator
  • Middle School: Lower Hallway with all doors closed
  • McNeil Gym: Gym Office
  • Library: Broadcast Studio corner
  • Art: Closet in the Art Room
  • Office: Associate Director of Finance Office
• In the designated safe area, each person should assume the Drop and Tuck position.
• Teachers gather scholars, seated by grade level, in interior hallways of the main campus structures, as noted above. First floor locations are considered more secure than second floor locations if accessible without going outside.
• Teachers will prevent scholars from moving outdoors between buildings during such emergency conditions.

Sleet/Ice Storms:

If weather conditions deteriorate during a school day and sleet/ice will make driving treacherous, the School follows the advice of local emergency personnel. A Family Portal Emergency Alert will be issued to inform the School Community of appropriate action.

Hurricane Precautionary Plan:

In case of threatening conditions due to an impending hurricane, the following steps will be taken by the indicated personnel.

Head of School/Associate Head of School/Director of Advancement:

• Before the start of each year, ensure a Staff Emergency Phone Text group is established.
• Send a FACTS Family Portal alert to the School Community of intent to close.
• Notify local television and radio stations of intent to close.
• Inform Staff the Hurricane Precautionary Plan is in effect.

Facilities Director:

• Coordinate sextons to install window covers.
• Make sure office area is covered.

Office Staff:

• Each one responsible for their work areas.
• Secure important papers and books in waterproof manner.
• Back up computer files on USB drive.
• Move equipment and furniture away from windows and doors and protect them with plastic covers. (Have plastic covers available in your closets.)
• Unplug all electrical equipment. Log out of computers.
• Turn off Air Conditioner.

Faculty:

Areas of Responsibility:

• Each teacher/specials teacher is responsible for their classroom(s) or area.
• The Librarian and STREAM Lab Facilitator are responsible for the Library/Lab.
• The Athletic Staff is responsible for the McNeil Gym and Gym Office.
• The Computer Lab teacher is responsible for the Computer Lab.
• Instructional Aides are responsible for Jag Mart and the Teacher Workrooms.

Necessary Precautions:

• Have duct tape and plastic covers available in your closet.
• Secure all loose paper and books in a waterproof manner.
• Move furniture away from windows and protect it with plastic covers.
• Unplug all electrical equipment.
• Turn off the Air Conditioner.
• Move unattached technology equipment and computers.
  • Water Street: Munds Hall hallway behind the Cafeteria.
  • Foster and Middle School: Broadcasting Studio by the Library
• Water Street Teachers-Move supplies to desk height in case of flooding.
• Librarian should cover all bookshelves with plastic covers.

Facility Staff:

• Store and secure all loose items on the grounds as follows:
  • Middle School: Middle School Grounds
  • Foster Hall: Parking Lots adjacent to Main Office.
  • Dobbins Hall: Water Street Parking Lot and outside kitchen
  • Gym: Gym Parking Lot, Playground, Parking Lot adjacent to playground
• Install protective boards following this priority: Main Office, Library, Art Room
  • Boards for Main Office are located in the closet behind the Locker Rooms.
    • Key for this closet, plastic covers, tools, and bolts will be in the Director of Facilities Office.

Cafeteria Manager:

• Secure and store all dry goods and utensils in cabinets, closets, and drawers.
• Place bags of ice in refrigeration units to help preserve perishable foods.
• Unplug all electrical appliances EXCEPT refrigeration.
• Close and tape kitchen windows.

Important Notes:

• The School is not responsible for damage to personal property.
• The Campus must be evacuated by all people during a hurricane.
• James will close and reopen according to announced dates and times.

Policies/Procedures:      

If an event requires carpool pick-up procedures be abandoned, the potential exists for scholars to leave campus with other well-meaning, but unapproved individuals. In the event of such an emergency, the School will employ a carefully regulated scholar release procedure that includes the following:

• Scholars will be picked up in the classroom, or when a critical emergency has caused the School to utilize the stated “collection areas,” at the SJES Middle School Assembly Hall, Library or DHAC.
• In the event of an all-campus evacuation, First Presbyterian Church of Corpus Christi (430 South Carancahua) will serve as a collection area.
• Scholars are only released to a responsible adult or family member indicated on the family information sheet maintained in the School Office and on FACTS Family Portal.
• School employees will check the family information sheets to verify that an individual is approved to transport the scholar.
• When releasing scholars during emergency conditions, each scholar must be specifically signed-out by the responsible adult. The situation will dictate whether this is accomplished on a classroom-by-classroom basis or by the “release team” in the collection areas.