EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

I have been involved recently in several discussions concerning the development of a school plan to deal with the possibility of war with Iraq and any subsequent threats to homeland safety. Attached to this letter is a list of the things I’ve considered and discussed with others, as well as some procedures of which you should be aware.

Please note that I have already discussed a couple of items with the Faculty weeks ago. Two items in particular which I addressed at that time were: 1. Our school’s (church’s) stand on war and 2. How CLS will handle and share information with students should war occur, especially if the outbreak is during the school day.

Many of you may have read the front page article in the Sunday, March 2, Herald-Palladium in which area clergy, including Pastor Quardokus, were quoted, and it is obvious that not all church bodies agree on the approach to war. Christ Lutheran School’s position is that God has entrusted the ruling of our secular world to the governing authorities and, therefore, is one of support for our elected officials. As such, our school will not be organizing protests or allowing displays (posters, possibly certain apparel, signs, etc.) or organizing protests which are not supportive of our government’s position. That said, however, CLS is a school within a democracy. Both are places which encourage open discussion and healthy debate, and I would find it a normal part of the learning process as well as the expression of our freedom of speech for discussion to take place within our classrooms and among students. In that context, I would expect differing opinions and would not force a certain point of view upon anyone.

The second item discussed with Faculty concerned the use of cable television and, as the news media terms it, real time coverage of the war. As I did on 9-11, I have instructed teachers to restrict television viewing to the 5^th grade and above. In order to not unduly alarm young children, I have instructed teachers in grades K-4 to refrain from showing this coverage to our students. Some Faculty concern was shared, however, even in allowing limited viewing at the 5^th-8^th grade levels, so please be aware that we are approaching this cautiously and invite parent input. Thank you.

As you read the following pages about procedure, some of the above will be repeated or explained in more detail. Please keep in mind that my goals are twofold: To safeguard our students and to avoid unnecessarily frightening them.

Recently, the President of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, issued a statement entitled "Peace" which explains our church body’s stand on the possibility of war with Iraq. Following are excerpts: "War, terrorism and fighting have characterized this world’s history and are clear testimony to the imperfection of the human race. Many wonder how to reconcile the teachings of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, with the horrors of war. In the early centuries of the Church, this very question arose and was addressed by one of the great church Fathers, St. Augustine. He understood that flawed human hearts sometimes pursue the path of evil, seeking to oppress and even destroy one’s fellowman. St. Augustine understood that the state is a God-ordained institution and that its primary leader is God’s servant…who does not bear the sword for nothing…but is an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the evildoer…nations, in defense of their own people and in order to preserve the peace, may declare war in the case of a just cause and for the purpose of self-defense."

"Martin Luther spoke of the reality of this tension in terms of two kingdoms, both under the rule of God but each ruling differently. The kingdom of the left hand is the secular kingdom ruled by kings, presidents, and governors. Its guiding principles are human reason and the sword. The kingdom of the right hand is the Church, whose power lies in the forgiveness and mercy won by Christ’s death and resurrection. All people live in the kingdom of the left, whether they are or are not believers in Christ. It is here that our elected officials rule by reason, and, when necessary, by the sword."

Christ Lutheran School’s position is that God has entrusted the ruling of our secular world to the governing authorities and, therefore, is one of support for our elected officials. As such, our school will not be organizing protests or allowing displays (posters, possibly certain apparel, signs, etc.) or organizing protests which are not supportive of our government’s position.

Suggested activities for our classrooms and their students include praying for our nation, those in our armed forces, the innocent and, yes, even our enemies that God may turn their hearts from destruction to peace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ their Savior. I also highly recommend that our students bring pictures and information about friends and relatives who may be serving in the armed forces, perhaps even display these on a bulletin board, personally maintain contact with these individuals, pray for them daily and show other signs of support for our troops (like yellow ribbons).

At the outbreak of war, especially if this should occur during the school day, it is most likely that we will gather our students together for prayer and song, involving Pastor Quardokus as he is available. Please also know that our professional staff here, Pastor Quardokus, Vicar Sorenson, myself, teachers and Mrs. Becky Russell, a professional counselor, are available to counsel with children as the need arises.

Regarding the use of cable television in our classrooms and, as the news media terms it, real time coverage of the war. Teachers have been instructed to restrict television viewing to the 5^th grade and above. In order to not unduly alarm young children, teachers in grades K-4 will refrain from showing this coverage to our students. Further, I have instructed teachers in grades 5-8 to make use of such coverage sparingly, perhaps no more than one hour over an entire day, and cautiously, turning it off if coverage is too graphic or intense. Some of the above guidelines may be modified by the Principal in the event of an occurrence of some special historical significance.

It is not anticipated that the outbreak of a war will necessitate the closing of school. However, should war or other significant events or threats occur during the school day, we do recognize a parent’s ultimate right and responsibility to determine what is best for the safety and well-being of their child. During the events of 9-11, there were parents who felt more comfortable taking their children home, and the school respects that decision. If you decide to remove your child from school early, please park in the lot, stop in at the office first to let us know what you are doing, and then calmly remove your child from the classroom without upsetting other children.

In the event that schools are ordered to close by the Emergency Management Division of Homeland Security, CLS would immediately activate our Emergency School Closing Pyramid normally used for "snow days." Parents who cannot be contacted in this manner will be called directly at work or cell numbers as we have them available to us. The next step will be to contact the backup numbers you have supplied in your child’s file. Please do not take someone else’s children with you unless you first clear this with that child’s parents and also inform our office and each child’s teacher. Calling the office to let us know someone else is picking up your child would also be helpful. Under such conditions as a mandated school closing, the Principal will not allow children who normally walk home or to a sitter’s house to leave the building without being accompanied by an adult. Please know that your child will have adult care. They will not be left alone in the school. Should authorities order us to evacuate the building every child will be placed in the care of an adult, and you should follow information provided by state and federal agencies via available radio and television as to their assigned location.

For some time now, our country has been under an "Orange Alert" – high alert in which we are asked to be alert but go about the business of everyday life as usual. Should the Office of Homeland Security raise this status to a "Red Alert" or should we receive information from law enforcement, the news media, or through our Berrien County School District regarding a local threat, CLS will go into a lock down mode. This means all exterior and classroom doors will be locked, and only the main entrance by the school office should be used by parents. This main entrance will be monitored by school personnel. Again, school will not be closed unless ordered by the Emergency Management Division of Homeland Security. If the need arises to contact parents, procedures for notification of parents and dismissal will be as printed above. Also, as mentioned above, parents may still exercise their right to come and pick their child up from school even if we are not officially closed.

Once again, parents coming to the school are asked to remain calm so as not to alarm children.

In closing, I’d like to share with parents exactly what type of emergency communication and planning systems are (and have been) in place for schools within Berrien County for any emergencies. I spoke with Mr. Mike Bradley, Coordinator for Emergency Services at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, as recently as Wednesday, March 19. There are basically two ways in which Christ Lutheran School will receive information other than the news media, should an emergency alert be necessary: Tone-activated Receivers and School District Fan Out Phone System.

Some of you have been in our office when the receiver on top of the staff mailboxes has gone off announcing a test of the county’s emergency warning system. Given the age of our receiver, Mr. Bradley determined it was no longer reliable to receive all transmissions, and arrangements were made to have a new one in place by today, Thursday, March 20. This would be the primary way in which the county would alert our schools of any potential threats or other emergencies.

Berrien County also makes use of their schools and superintendents through a telephone fan out system. Much like CLS’ "phone pyramid," in an emergency, local superintendents are contacted by the Sheriff’s Department; they then call their principals as well as non-public school principals to relay vital information. For snow emergencies during the day or to make me aware of the Lakeshore District closing, I have always received a call from Lakeshore Superintendent Gary Campbell. It has not been unusual for him to wake me at 5:30 a.m. to let me know what the Sheriff’s Department is saying about road conditions and when Lakeshore intends to close. This system is also in place for other types of emergencies.

For CLS, being within the 10 mile evacuation zone of the Cook Nuclear Plant, means there also exists another mode of communication which affects us. In the event of an emergency at Cook, there are four levels of warning. While the first two levels involve things unique to the plant, Level 2 does call for the emergency services people to begin assessing risks which may require them to go to Level 3. Level 3 involves the breach of one of three containment barriers at the plant. It is at this point, when a barrier is breached, that plans are activated which include evacuating schools. At Level 3, sirens are sounded, and CLS would receive a call from Lakeshore Public Schools making us aware that they are coming with buses to transport our students to Berrien Springs (a pre-determined safe zone in the county’s plan). Radio and television media would be asked to pass this information along so parents know where their children are as well as other important information. FYI, Level 4 indicates a general emergency in which there would also be evacuation of residents of nursing homes and the like.

The first couple items above, the tone-activated receiver and the phone fan out are more pre-event warnings, announcing a threat which might be coming – even a blizzard. However, like 9-11, not all events can be foreseen. Mr. Bradley shared that should something catastrophic occur at the Cook Nuclear plant or elsewhere in the county, sirens will sound immediately – a post-event response. In this case, he advised turning to your local radio and television stations for information. RADIO was advised more strongly as he felt they were in a position to more quickly receive and pass along information provided by his department.

EMERGENCY PROCUDRES FOR LOCK DOWN (SHELTER IN PLACE)

Outside Threat

The principal or his designee will come around to classrooms to make teachers aware of the potential threat and activate the Lock Down (Shelter In Place) Procedure.

Check halls and restrooms for students. Verify attendance. Lock all windows and doors (exterior as well as classroom hallway doors). Room blinds should be closed. Normal classroom activities may continue. Place the Red or Green signaling system card on window and door.

Responsible adults will be assigned to monitor outside main entrances to the building. If the threat level is heightened, you may be instructed to turn off the lights (including computer monitors) and move to a corner of the room to reduce visibility. Remain in position until you receive an All Clear and are notified by law enforcement, fire emergency manager, principal or designee.

Inside Threat

The principal or his designee will come around to classrooms to make teachers aware of the potential threat and activate the Lock Down Procedure. The building’s phone system may also be used for calling individual rooms if possible

Check halls and restrooms for students. Verify attendance. Lock all windows and doors (exterior as well as classroom hallway doors). Room blinds should be closed, lights turned off (as well as computer monitors) and students moved to a corner of the room to reduce visibility. Place the Red or Green signaling system card on window and door.

Remain in position until you receive an All Clear and are notified by law enforcement, fire emergency manager, principal or designee.

Shelter In Place (Hazardous material or chemical incident outside of building)

Individuals outside of the building should be relocated to a separate area away from other building population (isolated).

Close and lock exterior doors and windows (NO entrance or exit).

Shut down air handling system.

Ensure students and staff are in safe area.

Verify attendance. Place the Red or Green signaling system card on window and door.

Remain in position until you receive an All Clear and are notified by law enforcement, fire emergency manager, principal or designee.

As per law enforcement instructions, students will not be allowed to use cell phones during the above emergencies. All communication will be done through the classroom teacher, principal or another responsible adult.