Emergency Planning & Preparedness
The Gresham Barlow School District takes the responsibility of caring for our students and staff seriously. Below are descriptions of what we regularly do to remain prepared and descriptions of systems we use to keep schools and buildings safe.
Emergency Protocols:
In preparation for emergencies, the GBSD uses the “I Love You Guys” Standard Response Protocols. These protocols were developed nationally and used throughout Oregon so that schools and first responders have common processes and language to work from.
Emergency Drills: GBSD students and staff participate in Emergency Drills throughout the school year.
Communications:
External Emergency Notification Process: The GBSD uses three different methods to communicate with families during emergencies.
Parent Square: Parents and guardians receive email, phone, or text messages using Parent Square. These messages come in the family’s home language. Family contact information is received during registration each year. Parents and guardians, downloading the ParentSquare app for your personal device helps with notifications as well.It is important that parents and guardians regularly update their contact information with your student’s school, or notices might not be received in a timely way.
FlashAlert: During significant emergencies, we would work with our partners at both Multnomah and Clackamas County using their public alert systems. The GBSD has schools in both Multnomah and Clackamas County. Depending on your address, you may want to register for public alerts from both counties. Click the following links to register: Clackamas Public Alerts and Multnomah County Emergency Management.
Internal Emergency Communications: If phone services are disrupted, thanks to the 2016 bond, the GBSD has installed multiple radio networks. These networks enable us to communicate within and between schools and the district office. This network also allows us to broadcast a message to all schools and programs.
Parent-Student Reunification: The GBSD has implemented the Standard Reunification Method. Each school has a reunification kit and plan specific to their school to support a controlled release following an emergency event. Principals review their plan annually to verify appropriate staff members are able to fulfill the various roles following an emergency, including staying with students until the reunification is complete.