A staff member presenting a video explained a school reunification plan designed with local public safety to reunite parents, guardians and students after an off-site evacuation. The presentation outlines how students are moved to a reunification area, how parents are alerted, and what documentation and behavior are required to complete reunification safely and quickly.

The plan matters because off-site evacuations can produce confusion and safety risks; the video emphasizes steps intended to minimize delays and protect students. It also notes that crisis and grief counselors will be available at reunification sites.

According to the presentation, evacuations could be triggered by events such as fire, flooding, active threats or other emergencies. Once an order to evacuate is given, students will be transported to a reunification area separate from the school. Parents and guardians will receive an alert indicating where to go to start the reunification process; the video lists possible alert methods as text message, phone call or a wireless emergency alert similar to an Amber Alert.

The presenter said parents should keep their child’s emergency contact information up to date with the school, because that information is used in the reunification process. Parents are instructed to report to a parent staging area with a photo ID; the staging area and the reunification site may be different locations, and either site could be some distance from the school. The video warns that not having photo identification will slow down reunification.

Parents will be given a reunification card and must fill out one card for each student they are picking up. The card asks for the student’s name, the parent or guardian’s name and the parent or guardian’s cell phone number; the same information is written on multiple parts of the card because each part is used at a different step in verification and release.

The presentation cautioned parents not to call 911 for information, noting that phone lines can become overloaded in an evacuation. It also advised parents not to travel directly to the school or attempt to contact students by phone or text, saying such actions can complicate the reunification process and create potential dangers. Once a parent’s information is verified, staff will direct the parent through the next steps to complete reunification and will ask that reunited families leave the site promptly to keep the process moving for others.

The video closes by noting production support from the Wilmer Area Women’s Fund, the Wilmer Area Community Foundation and other community partners, and advises viewers to visit the school’s website or contact the school for questions about updating emergency contact information or about the reunification plan.