School Information

The Howard County School System, in partnership with emergency officials, is working to ensure that our community is prepared for any emergency. Our schools have an important role in that partnership.

In addition to inclement weather, recent events accentuate the need for parental awareness of school safety procedures. Emergencies have the potential to affect only one building or a number of school facilities. A large regional incident might require a system-wide response. Our schools have plans in place that anticipate many kinds of emergencies. We are continuously upgrading these procedures.

Emergency Notification

Parents will be notified of an emergency through a variety of sources:

Internet:	www.hcpss.org
Radio/Television:	News Media The Knowledge Network, Cable Channel 72
Email:	www.schools-out.com (You can sign up to receive school closing information via email sent directly to your home or office. NOTE: This is not a free service. )

In the event of a community emergency, important information will be broadcast on the radio and television stations listed below. School or county emergency management officials will give detailed information on what to do in an emergency.

Radio	Television
WIYY - FM 97.9 WMAL-FM 630 WBAL-AM 1090 WTOP-FM 103.5	WMAR-TV (Baltimore) Channel 2 WRC-TV (DC) Channel 4 WJLA-TV (DC) Channel 7 WUSA-TV (DC) Channel 9 WBAL-TV (Baltimore) Channel 11 WJZ-TV (Baltimore) Channel 13

Protective Actions
Protective actions are in place to keep your children safe during an emergency. Each school has procedures to shelter or evacuate children and to provide a lockdown or modified lockdown for security-related emergencies. The school system buildings are constructed to provide a safe shelter. In many situations, children are safer in school than in the home or on the highway.

Parents' Responsibilities During an Emergency
If an emergency occurs during school hours:

• Do not drive to the school unless directed to do so
• Do not call the school
• Tune to news media for emergency instructions

It is important for you to follow emergency instructions carefully. Each school has detailed plans that provide an orderly method for children to be picked up after an emergency. For added safety, you will be required to show identification prior to picking up your child. These procedures are distributed at the beginning of each school year. Contact your school directly for information on emergency procedures.

Visit the Howard County Public School System web site at:
www.howard.k12.md.us

Telephone:
The Office of Safety, Environment, and Risk Management
410-313-6739

THE HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS A MEMBER OF CERN