October 20, 2011

PRESS RELEASE:

James Madison participates in the California Great Shake Out

Safety and preparedness has always been the top priority of our school and community. The 419 students, (including more than forty special needs students) and 50 staff and parents successfully and effectively conducted our earthquake safety preparedness today. In addition to educating students and staff on the duck and cover procedures we evacuated the school after 90 seconds of holding in place quietly. All students were accounted for and radio communication with the office ensured that students evacuated to the front of the school were accounted for by teachers and individually checked off.

Lessons learned today included;
1. Taking a closer look at our special needs students and setting aside time to look at needs that need support of multiple adults and staff.
2. Including the District office as our site neighbor in communication and feedback.
3. Addressing emergency supplies and H2O reserves.
4. Communicating with the office at the conclusion of the drill to provide an all clear signal
5. Improving our system of visual all here for quick accountability

Information and system needing support;
1. How and when do we communicate with the SLUSD E.O.C. in the event of an emergency?
2. Do we have and have we practiced our student release to family procedures.
3. What systems/training is needed to address the possible 72 hour support of students as mandated by state law?
4. How do we access district, city and CERT support for search, rescue, triage and first aid?
5. How can we better communicate with parents before, during and after to support safety and confidence in our school and district safety plans.

Today’s event went smoothly and shows that the students and staff are very successful implementing what we practice. Now the question is what else is needed to prepare community and school next earthquake for our region.


Gerhard Grotke, Principal