Safety Training and Practices:
The goal in each safety practice is to help our students feel safe, calm, and empowered. We will practice a variety of emergency preparedness exercises throughout the year with guidance from the VT Agency of Education (AOE) and the Vermont School Safety Center.
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The drills we practice include a variety of evacuation and options-based drills each year to help our staff and students prepare for a variety of emergency situations. (Please find the 2024-45 Drill Guidance from the VT Agency of Education below).
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All schools are required, by statute, to conduct a minimum of 2 options-based response drills; 6 egress ("fire") or relocation drills; and 2 bus evacuation drills each year.
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Options-based drills introduce staff and students to various strategies in response to a threat, such as when to evacuate from the school or stay in a classroom. All Options-based drills are trauma informed and age appropriate. This means the drills are performed in a way that is sensitive to the emotional well-being of our students. No active threat “simulations” will occur.
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All Options-based practices will be announced to staff and students in advance. Families will be notified at least one day in advance to help support children with any questions at home.
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All employees (including substitute teachers) are required to complete safety training. This year, staff were trained in Run Hide, Fight protocol. At the recommendation of the VT Agency of Education and U.S. Department of Homeland Security and F.B.I., all Vermont schools are transitioning from A.L.I.C.E. RHF emphasizes situational awareness and empowers adults in the building to use information around them to make the most appropriate decision based on the nature of the threat.
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ACSD’s leaders are trained in the Vermont School Crisis Guide. Additionally, in the summer of 2024, across-district team of ACSD leaders attended a FEMA training to further our knowledge and best practices in school safety.
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Each school has an identified Crisis Team and we are continually working to improve our Emergency Operations Plan for each school, which is reviewed by our Director of Facilities and shared with local emergency management professionals.
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We have a cross-district ACSD School Safety Team that meets regularly to identify additional needs or changes that would increase building security and school safety.
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We communicate and work with emergency responders across the county to support inter-agency leadership in the event of a school crisis.
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Our principals and guidance counselors are always available to support parents or students who have additional questions.
2024/2025 Emergency Drill Schedule Guidance from the VT Agency of Education for Vermont Public Schools.
September:
* Required Egress Drill
* Options Based Drill (Strongly recommended for Sept, required once in the fall semester)
* Bus Evacuation Drill (Strongly recommended for Sept, required once in the fall semester)
October:
* Required Egress Drill
November:
No drills required
December:
* Required either Egress or Relocation
January:
* Options Based Drill (Strongly recommended for January, required once in the spring semester)
* Bus Evacuation Drill (Strongly recommended for Sept, required once in the fall semester)
February:
* Required either Egress or Relocation
March:
No drills required
April
* Required either Egress or Relocation
May:
No drills required
June:
* Required either Egress or Relocation