Emergency Communications

  • What to Expect in an Emergency

    It's natural for your first reaction to be to call or come to school in the event of an emergency, but that might actually interfere with emergency agencies that are dealing with the situation. Instead, we ask that parents rely on school and district communications through ParentSquare and other district resources for information:


    The best way to ensure that you will receive emergency communications related to your student or student's school is to make sure your preferred phone number and email address are up-to-date in your ParentVue account. We will always alert families if there is a school emergency and provide updates as developments occur. Families can also visit their school website where the most current update is prominently displayed.

    Types of emergencies that might impact WLWV schools

    All emergencies impact schools including local and national events. Examples include:

    Severe weather — May result in early dismissal, late start, canceled school, or shelter in place. Examples are snow, ice, or wind storms.

    Fire — May result in evacuation or shelter-in-place depending on location and severity

    Missing person or student — May result in a Lockdown.

    Weapons — May result in an evacuation or a Lockdown.

    Bomb Threat — May result in evacuation.

    Chemical/Hazmat/Biological Materials — May result in an evacuation or a shelter-in-place depending on the location and type of incident. 

    Intruder — May result in a Lockdown or evacuation depending on the circumstances.

    School Actions

    Lock Down: Secures students, staff, and volunteers within classrooms while leaving entrances open for emergency personnel and law enforcement to clear the building.

    Secure: Secures and locks the building's entryways while safely sheltering all students, staff, and visitors inside the school building. This drill allows the school day to continue within the building.

    Evacuation: Requires students, staff, and visitors to exit an unsafe building in the event of a fire, earthquake, or other emergency situation. 

    Communication: It's natural for parents to want to contact their children in the event of an emergency. Trying to call your child's cell phone, however, may prevent them from hearing important, potentially life-saving information in some circumstances. Students will be able to use cell phones if they need immediate assistance and once they are safe. Please avoid calling the school during an emergency — the school staff will be dealing with the situation and may not be available to answer the phone. Parents should use district emergency channels to get information during an emergency.

    Finding your child after an emergency: Parents will be informed through district emergency channels when and where to be reunited with their children.