School Safety
The safety and security of our students is our highest priority. Our school and the school district regularly plan and practice to ensure we are prepared for emergencies. This letter will inform you of some of the procedures we will follow to protect our students during an emergency.
What Happens During an Emergency
During an emergency school administrators will secure the campus in what is called a lockdown. Classroom doors are locked, gates to the campus are closed and locked, and no one is permitted to enter or exit the campus until school administrators give the all-clear signal. If there is immediate danger, teachers will stop lessons, close window blinds, turn off lights and direct students to the most secure area of the classroom or building. School personnel work closely with public safety officials during emergencies.
Students May Be Kept On Campus
In the event of a chemical spill or other immediate danger to health and safety, public safety officials may direct the school to keep students on campus, even after school hours, until the all-clear signal is given.
- If such an emergency occurs, students will be released only to an adult who has been identified as a parent, guardian or emergency contact on your student’s Emergency Card. It is important that you complete this card at the beginning of every school year and update it as needed.
- The school district is prepared to provide food, water and the medications listed on your child’s School Year Medication Record to your child if we are directed to hold students on campus.
What to Do If your Child Is Kept On Campus During an Emergency
- To keep phone lines free for emergency use, do not call the school. Information will be provided on the PVschools.net website, by telephone dialers, email or possibly text message, and through the news media. This will include information on when and where to pick up your student.
- If you speak with your student on a cell phone remind them of the importance of following the directions of their teachers and public safety officials.
You are strongly encouraged to check and update your student’s Emergency Card and School Year Medication Record with a list of authorized contacts, health conditions and medications needed.
Please call your school if you have any questions or concerns about our emergency plans or procedures.
At PVSchools, we are fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of every student and staff member. Our team diligently trains for various emergencies because the well-being of students and staff is our top priority.
In accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), 15-341 (A) (31), PVSchools' emergency response plans have been developed by school and district teams to ensure that all schools meet emergency response preparedness guidelines established by the Arizona Department of Education, and the Arizona Division of Emergency Management.
PVSchools Emergency Preparedness
Parents are encouraged to review the resources provided on this page.
Emergency Planning Info for Parents Emergency Preparedness Summary
Información de preparación en caso de emergencia Resumen de preparación en caso de emergencia
Make an Anonymous Tip Online
PVSchools works with law enforcement to have all crimes investigated thoroughly. The community should never hesitate to call or email the school or law enforcement if they hear information that might pose a threat to our students or staff safety. Tips can also be submitted online through a portal that allows the tipster to remain anonymous.
Emergency Notifications
PVSchools uses mass messaging to contact families with information about school related items as well as emergency situations. This messaging includes email, phone calls, and SMS text messaging.
If you are a parent or guardian, sign up to receive high-priority and emergency messages to include text messages.
- Make sure your mobile number is on file with your school via your student's emergency card. Student emergency cards are typically filled out online; however, upon request, the cards can be sent home at the beginning of each school year. If you have phone numbers (either home or mobile) that change during the year, reach out to your school and provide updated phone number information.
- Once your mobile number is entered into the student information system or anytime your mobile number is updated in the student information system, you will receive an automated text message from our emergency broadcast system asking you to opt-in to the text messaging feature. Please note that you can opt-out at any time, by simply texting the word STOP to 67587.
- If your mobile number is already on file with the district, you can opt-in at any time by texting the word YES to 67587.
- Please note, you must opt in each mobile number for your household in order to receive emergency broadcast alerts from your school or the district.
Due to FCC regulations, any time you change or add a mobile number, you will automatically get a new opt-in message from the district.
Please note: The district’s mass messaging system, does not charge any text message fees; however, wireless carriers typically do. Please contact your wireless carrier for more information about text messaging fees.
Additional Resources
- American Red Cross: Disaster Preparedness
- Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
- National Association of School Psychologists: Promoting Compassion and Acceptance in Crisis
- National Association of School Psychologists: Coping with Crisis – Tips for Parents and Educators
- Department of Homeland Security: Active Shooter Information
- FEMA: Prepare, Plan and Stay Informed for Emergencies