For consistency, we have developed the following terms to use:
Drill: An activity that covers a specific safety circumstance and is designed to prepare your student to act quickly and minimize questions and fears should an emergency take place. The state of Missouri requires fire, tornado, and other emergency drills, including an unannounced intruder drill.
SRO: School Resource Officer; a uniformed Republic School District Police Officer assigned to schools to help build and maintain relationships between police, students, families and employees.
Lockout: A lockout will take place when there is an incident or situation where there is no direct danger or threat perceived toward students, employees, or school facilities. Business as usual will continue to take place within our school building walls. However, students are brought inside from any outdoor activities and external doors are additionally secured.
It is important to note that our buildings operate daily in near-lockout status. Perimeter doors are locked and visitors are screened at the building's entrance.
Lockdown: A lockdown will take place when there is a situation or the district has received information regarding a potential threat to students and employees. Internal procedures, which are practiced throughout the year, are implemented. Students and staff will remain wherever they are within the school building. Doors to each room will be secured. Emergency personnel may be called on site to assist.
When a District building goes into lockdown, the District will communicate with staff and families connected with that building. This includes non-emergencies, such as an “intruder drill.”
Reunification Site: Area where students and employees are transported.
Student Release Area: Location designated at a school or reunification site where families may pick up students. This location would be communicated to families at the time of an emergency.
Before an emergency, be prepared. As soon as possible, please:
Ensure your contact information in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal is current and accurate, including who is authorized to pick up your student.
We will use this information and multiple communication channels (phone call, email, text message, if opted in) to provide accurate and timely information in the event of an emergency.
If necessary, we may also use our District website (www.republicschools.org) or district social media (Facebook and Twitter). Local news outlets may also be asked to broadcast information.
During an emergency, expect the following:
Our emergency plan will be implemented and District emergency teams will respond.
All appropriate emergency response agencies will be dispatched to the school(s) or building(s) affected.
Depending on the situation, students and employees will be secured within the building or relocated to a reunification site.
Families will be kept informed on the situation with as much detail as possible through the methods below. Please only rely on these as official communications.
The first and fastest way for us to contact you in an emergency is using our automated texting system. This will most likely originate from the text short code 98900. Please save this number in your contact list as “Republic Schools.”
Due to the nature of text messages and their inability to share information at length, be prepared to also receive emails from nikki.faith@republicschools.org for details and updates regarding emergency or urgent situations.
We may also use our automated calling system to contact our families. Phone calls would come from 417-732-3636, which is also the number we will use for schedule changes due to inclement weather. Please save this into your contacts as “Republic School District.”
We understand a family member’s urge to get information or check on their loved ones in any potentially urgent incident. However, District phones are needed to manage the situation and lines must remain open. Please do not contact school buildings for updates. The Republic School District will provide official communications as quickly as possible, and we will rely on your patience. Please know that it is our priority to provide fast, but accurate, information.
In addition, it is important for cell phone lines to remain clear so first responders can communicate with one another. Please do not try to contact your student or family member inside the school during an emergency as this could bog down cell service in the area.
Families will not be allowed on school grounds during an emergency. Emergency personnel must be able to reach the buildings involved, so it is imperative that family members avoid all roads leading to our schools. In addition, the areas around our buildings need to remain clear so first responders can do their jobs. After emergency crews determine that a safe student release is possible, arrangements will be made to reunite students with their families. This may occur at a reunification site away from the campus affected by the emergency.
Students will not be allowed to take their property (coat, backpack, etc.) with them in an emergency.
After an emergency occurs, the following procedures may take place:
You may be directed to a reunification site, where you will need to show photo identification to pick up your student.
Students will only be released to a parent, guardian, or other adult listed on the student’s Student Information System profile, which you completed at the beginning of the school year. The individual picking up the student will be asked to provide identification and will be verified through a check-out process.This procedure is designed for your student’s protection and for your peace of mind.
Please be aware that reunification can be very time-consuming, as we ensure the safety of each and every student. We appreciate your patience.
It is important to remain calm as students are greatly influenced by their family’s sense of well-being. At the same time, families need to be compassionate listeners when their student speaks of an emergency. Please seek help from the school, district, or community resources if you/your student have concerns.
Depending on the situation, school counselors may be on-site to offer support for students and staff.
Additionally, all Republic School District employees, students, families, and community members are encouraged to report anything they see, hear, or are made aware of that may impact a school or the safety of students and staff. If you see or hear something, say something. During business hours, please call the Republic School District with any concerns at 417-732-3605. After hours, please 911 or the Republic Police Department at 417-732-3900.
When providing information, please be as detailed as possible. Include the name of the school(s), person(s) involved, type of alleged activities, when they occurred/may occur.
All threats are taken seriously. Police are notified, and officers and school administrators work together to thoroughly investigate any threat, whether it is made verbally, in writing, email, text message, or online. The earlier we know about a potential threat, the earlier an investigation can begin.
Anyone who makes a threat against a school could face criminal charges. If a student is involved in making a threat, the school/district will respond as outlined in the student handbook.
How we respond to an emergency is greatly influenced by the specifics of an incident. Our plans do not replace the authority of emergency personnel. Our employees work in full cooperation with these agencies.
For security reasons, components of our emergency plans are not publicly available.