Reunification Plan

Reunification Plan

One critical aspect of emergency response is the accountable reunification of students with their parent/guardian in the event of a school crisis or emergency. The Standard Reunification Method provides school safety teams with methods for planning, practicing and achieving successful reunification. Site-specific considerations will impact how these practices can be integrated into school safety plans. Successful planning and implementation will also demand partnerships with all responding agencies participating in an emergency response.

Circumstances may occur at the school that requires parents to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release. The process of controlled release is called a reunification and may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, hazmat or if a crisis occurs at the school.  Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian.

Communication

During a crisis situation, families will be notified through email and phone messages.  Certain communication and updates will also be made available through text messaging and social media. During the crisis, school staff will be focused on keeping students and staff safe.  All communication will come from the District.  Families should not try to contact the school during a crisis situation. 

On-Site Reunification

Certain situations or events may allow the reunification process to occur at the school.  

Off-Site Reunification

When it is not safe to remain on school grounds, we may set up an off-campus reunification.  Families will receive communication notifying them of the reunification site.  There are a variety of factors that are considered when selecting one of our pre-determined reunification sites.  

Parent/Guardian Expectations and Communication

Report to Reunification Site

First and foremost, please head to the reunification site.  Because of the amount of traffic, it is important to follow signs and information from the parking attendants.  Do not abandon your vehicle until you have parked in a designated area.  If the reunification location is off-site, it is important that you do not head to the school as it has been determined that on-site reunification is not a safe location.

Reunification Check-In and Reunification Cards

Parents are asked to go to the Reunification “Check In” area and form lines based on the first letter of their student’s last name. While in line, parents are asked to fill out a reunification card. This card is perforated and will be separated during the process. Some of the same information is repeated on both the top and separated bottom of the card. Parents are asked to complete all parts of the card. In the case of multiple students being reunified, a separate card for each student needs to be completed.

Bring ID

During check-in, identification and custody rights are confirmed. The card is separated and the bottom half given back to the parent.  

Reunification Area

From the “Check In” area parents are directed to the “Reunification” area. There, a runner will take the bottom half of the card and take it to the Student Assembly Area to recover the student or students.  Parents should be aware that in some cases, they may be invited into the building for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the parent/guardian cannot pick up their student?

When a parent can’t immediately go to the reunification site, students will only be released to individuals previously identified as a student’s emergency contact. Otherwise, the school will hold students until parents can pick up their student.

What if the student drives to school?

There may be instances where a student may not be allowed to remove a vehicle from the parking lot. In this case, parents are advised to recover the student. In some circumstances, high school students may be released on their own.