Evacuation Policy

Evacuation Policy

• We all hope that every week of co-op is safe and we can stay in the building for normal classes. It goes against everything we are as parents to ignore our children in an emergency but in order to ease confusion, we ask that you please follow this procedure to ensure that all children are safely, quickly, and efficiently evacuated.

• In the event of an emergency and we need to evacuate the building please do the following:

  • If you're teaching a class:

    • Remind the children in your class that it is going to be okay but that you all need to stay together as you leave the building.

    • If it is safe and you have time, please grab jackets so the kids can stay warm. Do not take time to put them on until you are safely out of the building.

    • Have them line up by the door and take a headcount of how many children you have in your class that day.

    • Refer to the map beside the door, it shows the proper evacuation route for your room. As long as the path is clear you should follow that route.

    • Leave your room, walk outside toward the fence on the south side of the back parking lot.

    • Keep your class together and take another headcount to make sure all children are with you. If one is missing DO NOT return to the church but instead discretely alert a board member.

    • After your headcount is complete and you are sure your entire class has been evacuated please remain together as a class. If a scared child needs to be with his/her parent this is okay but make sure they are connected and the parent is aware that their child is now with them instead of his/her class. 

  • Toddler and Preschool classes

    • We know that these kids may need a little extra help but it could cause confusion if a parent leaves their assigned place to help with the evacuation of their little one.

    • All board members except the hall monitor have been assigned to leave their classes and instead come and assist in evacuating the littlest ones.

  • Board Members

    • When possible, leave the co-teacher in charge of your class and help assist evacuating the toddlers and preschool classes.

    • If you are not needed there, please assist the hall monitor.

    • Hall Monitor:

      • Check bathrooms while classes are evacuating.

      • Help point classes to an evacuation door.

      • Ensure all rooms are clear and the building is completely evacuated.

      • Grab the clipboard before proceeding to the back fence.

  • If it is your free period and you are not subbing in a class

    • Please DO NOT go down the hall try to help evacuate children. This could cause confusion and lead to children getting lost.

    • Proceed to the back fence and wait for your children to be brought to you.

  • Once we are evacuated and at the back fence, it is important to get a complete and accurate headcount to ensure that everyone is out of the building.

    • Please remain together as a class and wait for instructions.

    • Members of the board will assist in connecting kids with their parents.

    • A board member will then use the check-in sheet to accurately count all co-op members and ensure everyone is out of the building.

    • Once we have accurately counted all members and are sure they are safely out of the building we will give you further instructions depending on the type of emergency.