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Clark Elementary School |
Wilkins Elementary School |
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Gerard St. Amand, Principal
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Safety Procedures and Practices
at the
Clark & Wilkins Schools
By
Gerry St. Amand, Principal
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In an ongoing and continuous effort to maintain a safe learning environment at the Clark and Wilkins Schools, students and staff members practice regularly various drills including standard building evacuation, reverse building evacuation, building lock down, evacuation to alternate site, and response to an intruder. All classrooms maintain safety backpacks that contain a variety of materials to support individuals during unexpected emergencies. All of the backpacks contain a flip chart that details the specific steps adults should take during different types of emergencies. Additional materials include, but are not limited to: class lists, flashlights, batteries, medical supplies, water, pens and pencils, emergency ponchos, and reading materials. Additionally, both schools maintain a large number of two way radios that can be used to communicate in the event of power outages or in situations where the use of phones or intercoms would be potentially unsafe. Crisis intervention teams consisting of representatives from both the Clark and Wilkins Schools have attended formal training sessions with representatives from the New Hampshire State Department of Emergency Preparedness to practice various scenarios and to review the procedures outlined in our emergency flip charts. Representatives from the Amherst Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Response Teams also attended the training sessions with school staff members. During any and all emergency procedures we maintain close communication with the Amherst Fire and Police Departments. Practice drills are conducted during a range of times—our most recent “practice session” at Wilkins occurred with hot lunch and recess in progress—to see how children and staff members respond to the unexpected. We recognize that an unexpected emergency could occur at any time and we have planned for a number of scenarios that require different responses. The key to any emergency plan focuses on practice and preparedness. Written plans without practice carry no influence or long term benefit. Practice, as the old saying goes, makes perfect. Regular practice of safety procedures provides familiarity to students and teachers and makes these procedures a regular part of the school routine. Throughout the year, students and staff members will rehearse, review, and refine existing safety drills and procedures in an ongoing and serious effort to maintain safe environments for all students and adults. |
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Global Connect Dear Families, All of the schools within SAU#39 will be using a new phone notification system, “Global Connect”, which can be used to inform families about school cancellations, delayed openings, early dismissals, and any emergency situation. This system could have provided a valuable communication tool on August 29, when Wilkins School experienced its fire. Please provide us with any feedback you have with regards to this new system. Remember that “Global Connect” will communicate via phone lines—land or cell—but will not access, at this time, email addresses. Regards, Gerry St. Amand
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Clark and Wilkins Mission Statement
All students can develop academically, physically, socially, emotionally and culturally regardless of their previous experiences. Our schools' purpose is to educate all students to higher levels of performance in all areas of learning.
Clark and Wilkins Character and Citizenship Statement
Character education will continue to be integrated into the existing educational programs of the Amherst Schools. The Clark and Wilkins Elementary Schools will promote courtesy, courage, honesty, justice, loyalty and patience among students and staff. Positive character traits will be reinforced throughout the school day, from the school bus to the cafeteria, to the classroom, and to the playground. The students will learn to be caring, responsible citizens who will respect group unity and individuality.
SAU 39 District Mission Statement
For any questions or more information about Wilkins School, call or mail to
the above address or send an email to
Kathy Johnson.
For any questions or more information about Clark School, call or mail to the
above address or send an email to Terry
April.
| Site Maintained by Sharon Verrill |
| The Amherst Elementary School's website is continually changing. Make sure to check back for new additions. If you have any comments or questions, please contact me at the address below. |
| sverrill@sprise.com |
Last revised on 05/08/2008