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Alachua County schools show staff and law enforcement reunification training led by I Love You Guys Foundation
Summary
District leaders and local law enforcement participated in two days of reunification training led by the I Love You Guys Foundation; board members and the superintendent attended and district staff described the exercise as a step in ongoing safety planning.
Alachua County Public Schools on Aug. 19 highlighted a two-day safety training focused on reunifying students with families after a school emergency, led by John Michael Keyes of the I Love You Guys Foundation.
Superintendent Nicole Patton and other district leaders showed a video and described the training as a joint exercise with local law enforcement agencies including the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and municipal departments. The district said the training combined classroom instruction and live reunification exercises so staff and law enforcement practice the procedures repeatedly and debrief after each exercise.
Patton said the reunification portion is "the most significant" because it deals with bringing students back together with parents after any incident, from a gas leak to a larger emergency. "Kids can't learn if they don't feel safe. Teachers can't teach if they don't feel safe," she said, adding that practicing the protocol builds muscle memory for high-stress situations.
The district said the training also aimed to create "common language" among educators, administrators and first responders. Officials stressed that the work was the beginning of a longer process to prepare staff, students and families for implementing the reunification process if ever needed.
Board members in attendance thanked staff and the presenter from the I Love You Guys Foundation; one board member noted that seeing the superintendent and school board members participating in such training demonstrates the district's commitment to safety.
No formal action was taken in the meeting regarding changes to safety policy; staff said the district will continue with training and expand preparations and community communication around reunification sites and procedures.
Clarifying details: the training included both a refresher on prevention and crisis response protocols and live practice exercises; the presenter and program were identified as John Michael Keyes and the I Love You Guys Foundation, which provides crisis response and reunification programs used worldwide.
