Dear Sir,
In response to the excellent article written to aid in students to prepare, I felt it important for parents to make a plan to get children in the event of weather, unrest, terrorist attack.
All my children are currently at a private school. The oldest (high school age) carries a note stating that she has permission to "check out" the other two [into his care], signed by me. We also have a password that if she receives via text, email or phone she is to immediately check out the others and follow the directions sent or if nothing else is sent to abide by our previous decisions.
I took these precautions because I feel that to get our children out of the school as soon as possible is to our advantage before well meaning administrators decide to keep children in "for their protection" and make parents wait. From previous dealings in regards to closing school in the middle of the day due to snow, ice, tornados as well as the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, I know how long it takes for them to make a decision and feel I have time to get my kids out.
Our plan will need to be reworked this next year as the younger two are coming home to be schooled, but it will actually make our plan easier as the oldest will be able to sign out and immediately leave and not worry about visiting 2 other buildings for her siblings.
I have friends who are well prepared, but this was a situation they had not even thought of and wanted to pass along our plan to help others.
Thank you again for all you do – God bless – JWE