Emergency Information

Pattonville closely monitors weather conditions and makes decisions based on the safety of our students. School closures due to extreme weather conditions are rare. In both extreme heat and cold, we may also keep students inside or reduce time outside for recess, PE or other activities based on the temperatures throughout the day.

Pattonville uses the National Weather Services wind chill chart as a guide when determining whether to close school or reduce outdoor time due to cold temperatures. Any time the combination of temperature and wind speed create conditions that can cause frostbite to exposed skin, we consider closing school. Keep in mind the wind chill chart is a guideline, not a rule. We encourage families to dress their children warmly and in layers, according to the weather.

Pattonville uses the National Weather Services temperature, heat index and Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer (WBGT) when determining outdoor activities in excessively hot temperatures. The WBGT is a device used to measure heat and humidity levels. Additionally, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) recommends the use of the WBGT for measuring and determining acceptable heat and humidity levels for outdoor high school practices and contests. At Pattonville High School, the WBGT is monitored 15 minutes before and multiple times during practice by the sports medicine staff to ensure operations within the recommended guidelines. Please ensure your child is well-hydrated before participating in activities and provide them with necessary supplies, such as water bottles, to stay hydrated throughout the day.

The Pattonville School District trains students and staff on how to respond during potential hazardous weather. Schools in Pattonville conduct at least two tornado drills each year so students know what to do in the event of a tornado warning. When a tornado warning is issued, a tornado alarm/alert is broadcast at the school. Teachers will direct students to move to their designated shelter areas within the school. Everyone in the school will wait until the watch has been lifted before resuming their normal school day. This action may delay the start and end of the school day. Pattonville schools conduct at least two tornado drills with students throughout the year to ensure they are aware of the procedures to follow and have practiced these safety requirements in the event of a weather-related emergency. In the event that tornado sirens sound as students are on their way to or from school, please see below for general guidelines on how to respond.

Warning vs. Watch

The National Weather Service issues tornado watches (when tornadoes are possible) and tornado warnings (when a tornado has been observed or detected by weather radar causing the sirens to sound).

If tornado sirens are heard while students are waiting at a bus stop, students should seek shelter in their home, rather than remaining outside, until the storm threat has passed. Bus routes will be temporarily suspended and will resume as soon as possible once the storm threat has passed. Families will be notified via the district’s electronic message system when a route has been temporarily delayed due to weather conditions as well as when routes resume. At that time, students should proceed to their bus stop.

If tornado sirens sound or a tornado warning occurs while students are on the school bus, drivers will transport students to the closest and safest structure (including a Pattonville school) as soon as possible. Drivers are trained to seek safe areas — including brick or concrete structures — on their routes so they know where to go if an emergency were to occur. Drivers and students will remain at this location until the warning has been lifted. If a safe structure cannot be identified, drivers will park the bus and escort students to the nearest low spot or ditch away from the storm and help students remain face down until the storm threat passes. 

Students will not be dismissed from school while the area is under a tornado warning. Students will remain at school and buses will not be allowed to transport students until the tornado warning has been lifted.

Drop off or dismissal may be delayed if the weather creates unsafe conditions. In the event that dismissal is delayed, families picking up their children should remain in a safe location and refrain from coming to school to pick up their child until the watch is lifted. If tornado sirens sound during drop off or pickup and parents/guardians are in the car rider line, all individuals are encouraged to take shelter in the school building.

Pattonville is committed to keeping students and staff safe and to providing factual and timely information in the event of an emergency. The district uses a number of methods to provide important information to Pattonville families about emergencies or major school events. Depending on the situation, Pattonville may use an automated messaging system (emails, texts and/or phone calls), the district website, U.S. mail or the local media to keep families informed of important information. Pattonville will use the contact information it has on file in its student information system when communicating with parents. Parents/families should be prepared by taking the following steps:

• Provide your child’s school office with your most current phone numbers (home, work and cell) and email addresses when enrolling your child. If your information changes, please make sure you immediately update your contact information with your child’s schools.   
• Ensure the information for your emergency contacts is accurate and current, including who is authorized to pick up your child. 
• Have an early dismissal plan and make sure your child is aware of it, including where they will go, who will be waiting for them at the bus stop, etc. Make sure emergency backup contacts know their role and are authorized to pick up your child on your emergency contact information.
• Understand Pattonville’s safety protocols and responses in the event of an emergency and talk with your children about the importance of following procedures.
• Emphasize with your child that cell phones should not be used during an emergency unless directed to do so by a teacher or adult. Sound, vibration or conversation could put your student in danger, and students need to focus on following the instructions of the adults working to keep them safe at school.

Each school in Pattonville has a customized emergency response plan that is updated annually and guides its response to emergency situations. Pattonville will use its emergency plans to respond to incidents and keep students and staff safe. The district will work with first responders, as appropriate, to support their emergency response operations. Families can also expect:

• Pattonville will keep families informed about the situation with as much information as possible at the time. Not all information on a given emergency or incident will be available immediately. It may take time to investigate or gather details about a crisis. In addition, some information may not be possible to share due to federal laws protecting student and staff privacy. 
• Pattonville will use its automated messaging system (email, text and/or phone call) to keep families informed. Please rely on these official communications for reliable, verified information on any situation.
• In an emergency, phones are needed to manage the situation and lines must remain open. Please refrain from calling your child’s school or the district offices and wait for official information from the district. In addition, calling your child could put students and employees at risk in an intruder situation if your child did not have time to turn down their ringtone. 
• Parents/families will not be allowed on campus during an emergency. Emergency personnel responding to the situation need the area clear to do their job. After first responders determine a safe student release is possible, arrangements will be made to reunite students and their families (if needed). This may occur at a reunification site, the location of which will be shared with impacted families as soon as possible.
• During an evacuation, students will not be allowed to take their property (backpack, etc.) with them in an emergency.
• If an incident is non-threatening, parents can generally expect to be notified by the end of the day by email about the incident.

In a school emergency, a parent’s first instinct is to call the school or rush to the campus to pick up their child. The truth is, this only complicates matters from a safety and security standpoint. The most important actions parents can take during an emergency are to remain calm and wait for information or instructions from the school or school district. Please help us in our emergency response by following these guidelines:

• Do NOT call or rush to your child’s school. Phone lines and staff are needed for emergency response efforts. Additional traffic near the school site can also impede emergency vehicles or otherwise disrupt emergency response procedures. Trust that the school is FIRST doing everything necessary to protect students, and will communicate with you as soon as school officials are able.
• Do NOT phone your child. Staff and students are discouraged from using cell phone communication for safety reasons. Calling your child could put students and staff in danger during an intruder situation.
• Keep your phone close and rely on communications and updates from the school, the school district or local first responders. If necessary, local news outlets will be contacted and asked to help broadcast important information.
• Please avoid speculating about emergency situations on social media, as this can cause more panic and disruption. Avoid sharing rumors or information that does not come from the school, school district or first responders.
• Remain calm and listen for information from the school, school district or first responders on reuniting with your child (if needed).

• When it is safe to do so, you will be directed to a specific location (reunification site) to pick up your child. You must bring photo identification.
• Students will only be released to a parent/guardian and/or other adult listed as an emergency contact with authorization to pick up your child. The individual picking up the student will be asked to complete a Student Release Form (available on-site). This procedure is designed for your child’s protection and for your peace of mind.
• Please be aware that reunification can be time consuming, and we ask for and appreciate your patience.
• It is important to remain calm as children are greatly influenced by their family’s sense of well-being, and anything that families can do to reassure students is helpful. At the same time, families need to be compassionate listeners when their children speak of the crisis. Seek help from the school district or community resources if you/your child have any concerns.

Children take their cue on how to respond and react to emergency situations from their parents or other trusted adults and friends. It’s important to model calm and reassure your child. Following an emergency, consider taking these action steps to help support your child:

• Listen to and acknowledge your child’s concerns.
• Provide reassurance that your child is safe.
• Assure your child that additional prevention efforts are being put in place.
• Remind students that schools are safe places. School staff work with local police, fire departments and medical professionals to keep them safe.
• Encourage your child to tell an adult they trust if they see or hear something that makes them feel uncomfortable, nervous or frightened.
• It is often helpful to limit the student’s exposure to the media and/or social media.
• Try to stay calm and answer questions the best you can. 
• When something upsets a child, sticking to a routine and doing activities they enjoy can be helpful. 
• Provide your child with an opportunity to do something positive for their school community or to support others. Often, this can help with a child’s mental well-being.
• School counselors and social workers are available to support your child. Reach out if you need help or concerns persist.

Age-appropriate tips about talking to your child about a tragedy or other crises are available from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Pattonville’s goal after a crisis situation is to return to a sense of normalcy for our students as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, Pattonville will:

• Provide extra onsite counseling support for affected students and staff.
• Increase security measures at sensitive locations.
• Debrief with staff and first responders to evaluate crisis response.
• Pursue other ways to prevent a crisis from recurring.
• Keep parents and staff informed of developments.

After an immediate crisis situation is resolved, parents and families may reach out to their schools if their child needs any additional support or if they have questions. 

In addition to proactive planning and drills to address different emergencies, Pattonville takes a number of steps to prevent crisis situations, promote the health and well-being of students and keep our schools safe.

Safety planning and programming

• Each school updates their emergency response guide annually with the support of local law enforcement.
• The district evaluates its district safety plan annually and presents it to the Board of Education for review.
• Pattonville has been implementing recommendations from a district-wide safety audit in 2018, including a number of facility improvements.
• Students and staff are trained annually on drills for earthquakes, fires, intruders and tornadoes. 
• Staff annually review behavior expectations and consequences with students as outlined in the district’s behavior guides.
• School resource officers (SROs) are employed at the district’s middle and high schools to help build and maintain relationships between police, students, families, staff and administrators while keeping Pattonville schools safe and secure. 
• Pattonville partners with local police departments to offer the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program for students in fifth grade across the district. Students learn how to resist peer pressure and make healthy choices through this year-long program.
• The district has established a tip line where safety concerns can be reported to school officials.

• Pattonville’s social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum for preschool through 12th grades supports the development of the whole child. SEL is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions; set and achieve positive goals; feel and show empathy for others; establish and maintain positive relationships; and make responsible decisions. In addition, the district educates students on topics such as conflict resolution, anger management, anti-bullying and other responsible behavior practices. 
• A district-level social-emotional support team works to improve SEL and support for students and families across the district. A staff member from each school serves on the team. In addition, Pattonville was able to hire additional staff to support students' social-emotional needs in the schools, using a $450,000 grant from the Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund, a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation. 
• Counselors at each school are equipped to support students’ well-being, and staff is trained in areas such as suicide and bullying awareness, prevention and response. Social workers in the district also support student needs and family stability.
• Staff are trained on trauma-informed care, including what trauma is; how to recognize the impact of stress and trauma on the school community; and how best to support families and students experiencing trauma. The school district partners with Alive and Well St. Louis to provide support for schools to develop and implement practices that support students exposed to trauma and the staff interacting with them.  
• Pattonville schools use positive behavior programs that teach and reinforce behavior expectations in order to improve student behavior, maximize instructional time and increase student engagement. The programs create safer and more effective schools by structuring the learning environment to support the academic and social success of all students. The programs focus on encouraging positive student behavior, preventing disruptive behavior and tailoring supports to individual student needs. 
• Pattonville partners with outside agencies to provide counseling support, training and resources to students and families. For example, Youth in Need provides school-based therapeutic services with therapists supporting students in the majority of Pattonville schools.  
• Pattonville partners with NCADA (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse) to provide lessons to fourth through eighth graders to promote positive, healthy and drug-free lifestyles. 
• A district cultural proficiency committee works to embed culturally proficient practices into all aspects of the district’s work in order to build relationships and an understanding of socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic differences among students and staff. Cultural proficiency refers to the policies, practices and values of an organization that enable staff to engage effectively with people and groups who are different from them. Pattonville staff are trained on cultural proficiency and training is included as part of the orientation all new teachers receive before beginning work in Pattonville. 
• Pattonville is implementing restorative practices in preschool through 12th grade to support a positive school climate and student responsibility. Restorative practices are sustainable, equitable and respectful alternatives to traditional disciplinary responses to student misbehavior. Pattonville is also developing and implementing district and building plans that systematically address areas of disproportionality in discipline data.
• Pattonville has developed a proactive, intervention-driven system to identify and support students in the Pattonville middle school and high school alternative education programs. In addition, an early warning system is in place to proactively identify students for more intensive levels of interventions.
• The Pattonville Community Action Team (PCAT) is a partnership between Pattonville schools and community organizations, including state and local government, religious organizations, local charities and more. The group’s common focus is to support students and their families by working together to develop or connect them to needed services. The team meets regularly to address issues such as food accessibility, mental health services, family safety and financial stability for Pattonville students and families.
• Links and phone numbers to local resources are available to district families on the Community Resources website. Information includes resources on medical health, mental health, housing, food and more.