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Statistics consistently show that schools are among the safest places to be due to the strong commitment of educators, families, and our community to our students and schools. We strive to be proactive rather than reactive. This guide outlines the key elements of Windsor Public Schools’ state of preparedness. We hope it will answer questions you have concerning our actions and intentions in the event of an emergency.

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. Windsor Public Schools requires fire, and other emergency drills, including an unannounced lockdown.

• SRO: School Resource Officer; a uniformed Windsor Police Department officer assigned to schools to help build and maintain relationships between police, students, families, and employees.

• Lockdown Instruction Continues: Instruction continues in a secure building. All occupants remain in the classroom/building. Movement within the building is at the building administrator’s discretion.

• Lockdown: Occupants are kept in rooms or areas that are secured. There is no movement within the building. Lockdown procedures are followed.

• 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 you at the time of an emergency.

As soon as possible, please:

• Ensure your contact information in PowerSchool 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.windsorct.org), district social media (Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WPSwindsor), Twitter (https://twitter.com/WPSwindsorct)), and local news outlets may be asked to broadcast information.

• Explain to your student that cell phones should not be used during an emergency unless directed by an adult. Your student must pay attention to instructions from trained personnel.

What you can expect if an emergency occurs:

• The emergency plan will be implemented and the district/school emergency teams will respond.

• All appropriate emergency response agencies will be dispatched to the school.

• 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. The first and official way for us to contact you in an emergency is using our automated phone calling system. This will most likely originate from the phone number (860) 687-2000. Please save this phone number in your contact list now. Please only rely on these official communications. 

• In an emergency situation, phones are needed to manage the situation and lines must remain open. Calling could also put students and employees at risk in an intruder situation. For example, if they did not have time to turn down their ring volume, your call could potentially give away their hiding spot.

• You will not be allowed on school grounds during an emergency. Emergency personnel responding to the situation need the area clear to do their job. After emergency responders determine that a safe student release is possible, arrangements will be made to reunite students with their families. This will occur at a reunification site.

• Students will not be allowed to take their property (coat, backpack, etc.) with them in an emergency.

After an Emergency:

• You may be directed to a reunification site, where you will need to show photo identification.

  • Students will only be released to a parent, guardian, or other adult listed on the student’s Emergency Information Form, which you completed at the beginning of the school year. The individual picking up the student will be asked to complete a Student Release Form (available on-site). 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, and 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.

Additionally, all Windsor Public Schools employees, students, families, and community members are encouraged to report anything they see, hear, or are made aware of that may impact a school. If you see or hear something, say something. Call 911 or the Windsor Police Department at (860) 688-5273.

• 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.

WARNING: it is against policy to impersonate an official Windsor Public Schools’ social media account or post false information about or from the school system under an anonymous account or alias. Depending on the nature of the post, such action may result in notification to local law enforcement. If made by an employee or student, it could result in disciplinary action.

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.

• District Safety and Security Committee, which includes employees and emergency responders, meets on a regular basis to review safety needs and plans for emergencies.

  • All procedures are researched and based on best practices.

• Partnerships with local emergency responders (Windsor Police Department, Windsor Fire Department, etc.) and collaboration for meetings, training, and planning.

  • School Resource Officers (SROs) on staff at the high school.

  • Windsor Police Department "See Something Say Something" campaign.

• All employees have had a background check and wear photo identification badges.

• Department of Homeland Security building audits.

• School safety plans and emergency response procedures, including Hide, Run, Fight.

• School Emergency Response Team at each school, which includes ongoing training.

• Presence of first aid kits, fire extinguishers, AED machines, bleeding control stations, and Narcan®.

• Schools have personnel trained in CPR, First Aid, and the use of the materials directly above.

• Building access protocols

  • Video push-to-talk systems at all elementary schools, middle schools, and Windsor High School.

  • Keyless entry is installed at all elementary, middle, and high schools.

  • Visitor sign-in procedures at all elementary, middle, and high schools.

  • Signage regarding building access is posted on exterior doors.

• Regularly held emergency response drills with students and employees.

• Security cameras are located throughout all buildings.

• Employee training is held during employee meetings to orient employees to their roles and responsibilities during an emergency situation.

• Threat Assessment Process.

  • If an employee has concerns about the behavior or emotional state of a student, they make a referral to a school administrator. The administrator will then investigate the referral to determine the appropriate course of action. If deemed necessary, a school team conducts a threat assessment with input from a mental health professional.

• Student Services page is located on the district and school websites under “Students."

• Electronic mass notification system - includes website, telephone, email, SMS/text messaging, and smartphone app to communicate with stakeholders quickly using multiple channels. 

• Development of a comprehensive District Emergency Manual.

  • Updated annually and compiled through research of best practices from the U.S. Department of Education, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Secret Service.

• Development of a comprehensive Crisis Response Manual.

  • Updated annually and compiled through research of best practices from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), as well as school crisis response manuals from school systems across the United States.