Emergency Contact Information

Emergency Student Data Forms are distributed during the first week of school. Students are expected to bring the forms home and present them to their parents/guardians. The form must be carefully completed and returned. The information provided on the 72 | Page Emergency Student Data Forms will enable school staff to contact the parent/guardian immediately in the case of an emergency. Parent/Guardian(s) that provide a cell phone number will receive text messages should an emergency arise. Students may only be released from school to the persons listed on the form after presenting a picture identification. No persons, other than school staff, will have access to the information submitted. Any divorced or separated parent contesting the information in the Emergency Student Data Form may seek assistance from the court governing their divorce, separation, or custody matters to compel the enrolling parent to revise the information.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Code Yellow/Code Red In the event of an emergency, the primary responsibility of all school personnel is to provide for the safety of all students. In the event a school personnel announces a possible threat to students and staff safety exists within the community (Code Yellow), or an imminent threat to students and staff safety exists within the school (Code Red) students, faculty and staff will comply with all the procedures outlined in the Critical Incident Response Plan and remain on lockdown until a school administrator makes an “All Clear” announcement.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

Student and employee safety are a primary concern of the School. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was created to provide school personnel with the necessary leadership skills and knowledge needed to respond to critical incidents or other related emergencies that may occur in our schools/community. All schools have a site-specific plan to address all types of critical incidents. These plans address the individual needs of the school, and provide guidelines for devising methods for communicating with the staff, students, parents/guardians, and the media during a critical incident or an emergency. Some of the protective action procedures include the evacuation of students/staff from the building(s), evacuation of the disabled and if necessary the relocation of students/staff from the school campus, lockdown procedures and holding/dismissing students during school and community emergencies. Some important tips for parents/guardians to remember during a Critical Incident are as follows:

Remain calm;
Monitor media outlets for updates and official messages from Mater Virtual Academy;
Do not flood the school with telephone calls; and

If the school is on lockdown, wait until the lockdown is lifted before going to the school. All school administrators, Directors and all School Resource officers have been adequately trained in the school EOP and are prepared to respond immediately during a critical incident or emergency to provide safety for all children.

FIRE DRILLS

Ten fire drills will take place during the school year according to the School’s policy and emergency procedures. At the sound of the emergency bell, students must stop what they are doing and follow the teacher’s instructions. Students must clear the building promptly by the prescribed route. Any student who is in the hallway or the restroom at the sound of the emergency bell must proceed to the nearest exit and locate the teacher. Students, teachers and staff must remain outside the building until permission is given to re-enter.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

Monthly emergency drills, to include active shooter drill and one hostage situation or bomb threat drill, will take place during the school year according to Florida Senate Bill 7026, also known as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. One additional active shooter drill must take place within the first 30 days of the opening of schools. All emergency drills shall be conducted in accordance with the appropriate corresponding situational response as outlined in the EOP and shall include developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate procedures. Lockdown Procedures Lockdowns are utilized in response to an immediate threat posed to students and staff. Schools have successfully performed lockdowns in response to police activity adjacent to a facility and potential armed intruders onsite. Students, faculty and staff will comply with all the procedures outlined in the Schools Critical Incident Response Plan and remain on lockdown until a school administrator and/or law enforcement makes an “All Clear” announcement.

THREAT ASSESSMENTS

The School has a mandated set of procedures for threat assessment. A threat assessment is a problem-solving approach to violence prevention that involves assessment and intervention with students who have threatened violence in some way. When a preliminary determination is made, by the school administrator or designee, that a student poses a threat of violence or physical harm to him/herself or others is known, a Threat Assessment Team (TAT) shall be notified and shall convene to determine the best course of action. Authorized members of the TAT may obtain criminal history record information, if applicable. Students determined to be at-risk for violence will be referred for mental health services. Threat assessment and disciplinary procedures are separate processes. Regardless of whether a threat is determined to be transient, serious substantive, or very serious substantive, appropriate disciplinary procedures shall be followed in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.

VISITORS

Due to legal regulations, students are not permitted to have guests attend school with them at any time. Parents/guardians are always welcome and tours may be arranged to view the school. Classroom visits require a 24-hour notice. Visitors must first register with security at the main entrance, sign-in, produce photo identification, and then proceed to register in the main office. Anyone who fails to follow these procedures will be considered a trespasser and is subject to arrest.