The safety and security of the school community is paramount to KCSD.
MISSION
KCSD has adopted emergency response protocols that provide for the evacuation of students to a safe location in case of extreme emergency. The superintendent of schools will serve as a central communication source for the District and will use ParentSquare to communicate during an emergency as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. For the safety of children, parents, and staff, we ask that parents do-not attempt to pick up their child during an emergency situation until directed to do so.
FAST FACTS
- – The superintendent, or their designee, shall be responsible for the development, review and implementation of the district emergency operations plan.
- – Each school building (attendance center) has developed and maintained a written plan containing emergency and disaster procedures.
- – KCSD has a full-time Student Resource Officer in a partnership with the Keokuk Police Department.
- – Emergency drills are conducted throughout the school year for the protection of students and staff.
- – The school district conducts school bus safe riding practice instruction and emergency safety drills at least twice during the school year, once in the fall and once in the spring, for students who utilize school district transportation.
Each school building (attendance center) has developed and maintained a written plan containing emergency and disaster procedures. Emergency plans include:
- – assignment of employees to specific tasks and signals. If combination visual and auditory warning devices do not exist, the plan shall include specific provisions for warning individuals with hearing impairments;
– information concerning methods of fire containment; - – systems for notification of appropriate persons and agencies;
- – information concerning the location and use of fire fighting equipment;
- – specification of evacuation routes and procedures;
- – posting of plans and procedures at suitable locations throughout the facility;
- – evacuation drills which include the actual evacuation of individuals to safe area;
- – an evacuation for each evacuation drill.
There are times when school is canceled due to inclement weather or other building problems. Information regarding school closings and delays will be distributed as early as possible should the need arise through Urgent Alerts on ParentSquare (text/email/call/push notification). Please access your PowerSchool Parent Portal and insure phone numbers and emails are accurate and up to date. When school is closed or dismissed announcements will be made through local news and radio stations, phone and text alerts, as well as social media such as Facebook and Twitter. It’s also important to discuss, in advance, with your child where they need to go in case of an early dismissal.
INCLEMENT WEATHER TRANSPORTATION
School district buses will not operate when weather conditions due to fog, rain, snow or other natural elements make it unsafe to do so. Because weather conditions may vary around the school district and may change quickly, the best judgment possible will be used with the information available.
The final judgment as to when conditions are unsafe to operate will be made by the superintendent. The superintendent will be assisted by the actual “on location” reports of the drivers. Several drivers each year will be specially designated to report weather and road conditions by bus radio when requested to do so. Other employees and students will be notified by commercial radio when school is canceled or temporarily delayed. When school is canceled because of weather anywhere in the school district, all schools will be closed.
When weather conditions deteriorate during the day after school has begun, cancellation notices will be announced by commercial radio. Students will be returned to their regular drop-off sites unless weather conditions prevent it. In that case, students will be kept at or returned to school until they are picked up by the parents.
| TV/Radio | Channel/Station | Location |
|---|---|---|
| KOKX | 1310 AM | Keokuk |
| KHQA | Channel 7 | Quincy |
| WGEM | Channel 10 | Quincy |
| KBKB | 101.7 FM | Ft. Madison |
| KTVO | Channel 3 | Ottumwa |
| 99Q | 99.5 FM | Quincy |
| WCAZ | 990 AM | Carthage |
| Y101 | 100.9 FM | Quincy |
| WIUM/WIUW | 91.3/89.5 FM | Macomb |
| KKMI | 93.5 FM | Burlington |
| KAYP | 89.9 | Burlington |
Emergency drills are conducted throughout the school year for the protection of students and staff. Directions are posted inside the entrance of each classroom or teaching area. In the case of an emergency, or drill, students should remain quiet and act in an orderly manner.
During an emergency or emergency drill, students will:
- – Remain quiet
- – Walk in a brisk, orderly manner
- – Remain with their instructor
- – Follow all directions given by school staff members or emergency personnel Students with a physical handicap will have an emergency plan in place that provides them with assistance during emergencies or emergency drills.
The school district will conduct school bus safe riding practices instruction and emergency safety drills at least twice during the school year, once in the fall and once in the spring, for students who utilize school district transportation. Fire and tornado drills are each conducted regularly during the academic school year with a minimum of two before December 31 and two after January 1.
Each school bus vehicle will have, in addition to the regular emergency safety drill, a plan for helping those students who require special assistance to safety during an emergency. This will include, but not be limited to, students with disabilities.
Employees are responsible for instructing the proper techniques to be followed during an emergency, as well as safe riding practices. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
The superintendent, or their designee, shall be responsible for the development, review and implementation of the district emergency operations plan. The plan shall include procedures for transmitting alerts regarding emergency situations to school personnel, students, and employers for non-school employees whose presence is regularly required in the school building. The emergency operations plan shall be updated and reviewed annually by the Board and shall address responses to natural disasters, active shooter scenarios and other emergencies as determined by the district. The emergency operations plans are confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under Iowa Code Chapter 22. However, the district shall publish procedures for students, school personnel, parents, and family members to report possible safety threats on school grounds and at school activities.
The administration shall hold annual emergency operations drills at each district building covered by an emergency operations plan in accordance with law. The district shall determine which school personnel shall participate and whether local law enforcement and students participate in annual drills.