UDSD Emergency Communications Plan

The Upper Darby School District is committed to inclusivity and ensuring that all members of our community have access to important information. The UDSD Emergency School Closing Communications Plan is available in several languages to accommodate our diverse population. If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please click the accessibility button (stick-figure) found on the top right of this page and select your language of choice. Please contact Aaronda Q. Beauford, Director of Communications, at abeauford@upperdarbysd.org with any questions, comments, or suggestions related to the translation of this document.

El Distrito Escolar de Upper Darby está comprometido con la inclusión y con garantizar que todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad tengan acceso a información importante. El Plan de Comunicaciones de Emergencia de UDSD está disponible en varios idiomas para adaptarse a nuestra población diversa. Si necesita acceder a este documento en un idioma que no sea inglés, haga clic en el botón de accesibilidad (figura de palo) que se encuentra en la parte superior derecha de esta página y seleccione el idioma de su elección. Comuníquese con Aaronda Q. Beauford, Directora de Comunicaciones, en abeauford@upperdarbysd.org si tiene alguna pregunta, comentario o sugerencia relacionada con la traducción de este documento.

আপার ডার্বি স্কুল ডিস্ট্রিক্ট অন্তর্ভুক্তি এবং নিশ্চিত করতে প্রতিশ্রুতিবদ্ধ যে আমাদের সম্প্রদায়ের সকল সদস্যের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ তথ্যের অ্যাক্সেস রয়েছে। আমাদের বৈচিত্র্যময় জনসংখ্যার জন্য UDSD জরুরী যোগাযোগ পরিকল্পনা বিভিন্ন ভাষায় উপলব্ধ। আপনি যদি ইংরেজি ছাড়া অন্য কোনো ভাষায় এই নথিতে অ্যাক্সেস করতে চান, তাহলে অনুগ্রহ করে এই পৃষ্ঠার উপরের ডানদিকে পাওয়া অ্যাক্সেসিবিলিটি বোতামে (স্টিক-ফিগার) ক্লিক করুন এবং আপনার পছন্দের ভাষা নির্বাচন করুন। এই নথির অনুবাদ সম্পর্কিত যেকোন প্রশ্ন, মন্তব্য বা পরামর্শের জন্য অনুগ্রহ করে Aaronda Q. Beauford, যোগাযোগের পরিচালক, abeauford@upperdarbysd.org-এ যোগাযোগ করুন।

Āpāra ḍārbi skula ḍisṭrikṭa antarbhukti ēbaṁ niścita karatē pratiśrutibad'dha yē āmādēra sampradāẏēra sakala sadasyēra gurutbapūrṇa tathyēra ayāksēsa raẏēchē. Āmādēra baicitryamaẏa janasaṅkhyāra jan'ya UDSD jarurī yōgāyōga parikalpanā bibhinna bhāṣāẏa upalabdha. Āpani yadi inrēji chāṛā an'ya kōnō bhāṣāẏa ē'i nathitē ayāksēsa karatē cāna, tāhalē anugraha karē ē'i pr̥ṣṭhāra uparēra ḍānadikē pā'ōẏā ayāksēsibiliṭi bōtāmē (sṭika-phigāra) klika karuna ēbaṁ āpanāra pachandēra bhāṣā nirbācana karuna. Ē'i nathira anubāda samparkita yēkōna praśna, mantabya bā parāmarśēra jan'ya anugraha karē Aaronda Q. Beauford, yōgāyōgēra paricālaka, abeauford@upperdarbysd.Org-ē yōgāyōga karuna.

اپر ڈاربی اسکول ڈسٹرکٹ شمولیت اور اس بات کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے پرعزم ہے کہ ہماری کمیونٹی کے تمام اراکین کو اہم معلومات تک رسائی حاصل ہو۔ ہماری متنوع آبادی کو ایڈجسٹ کرنے کے لیے UDSD ایمرجنسی کمیونیکیشن پلان کئی زبانوں میں دستیاب ہے۔ اگر آپ کو انگریزی کے علاوہ کسی دوسری زبان میں اس دستاویز تک رسائی حاصل کرنے کی ضرورت ہے، تو براہ کرم اس صفحہ کے اوپری دائیں جانب موجود رسائی کے بٹن (اسٹک فگر) پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان منتخب کریں۔ براہ کرم اس دستاویز کے ترجمے سے متعلق کسی بھی سوال، تبصرے، یا تجاویز کے لیے Aaronda Q. Beauford، ڈائریکٹر آف کمیونیکیشنز سے abeauford@upperdarbysd.org پر رابطہ کریں۔

Học khu Upper Darby cam kết mang tính toàn diện và đảm bảo rằng tất cả thành viên trong cộng đồng của chúng ta đều có quyền truy cập vào những thông tin quan trọng. Kế hoạch Truyền thông Khẩn cấp của UDSD có sẵn bằng nhiều ngôn ngữ để phù hợp với cộng đồng đa dạng của chúng ta. Nếu bạn cần truy cập tài liệu này bằng ngôn ngữ khác tiếng Anh, vui lòng nhấp vào nút trợ năng (hình que) ở phía trên bên phải của trang này và chọn ngôn ngữ bạn chọn. Vui lòng liên hệ với Aaronda Q. Beauford, Giám đốc Truyền thông, theo địa chỉ abeauford@upperdarbysd.org nếu có bất kỳ câu hỏi, nhận xét hoặc đề xuất nào liên quan đến bản dịch tài liệu này.

تلتزم منطقة مدارس داربي العليا بالشمولية وضمان حصول جميع أفراد مجتمعنا على المعلومات المهمة. تتوفر خطة اتصالات الطوارئ UDSD بعدة لغات لاستيعاب سكاننا المتنوعين. إذا كنت بحاجة إلى الوصول إلى هذا المستند بلغة غير الإنجليزية، فيرجى النقر فوق زر إمكانية الوصول (الشكل الملصق) الموجود في أعلى يمين هذه الصفحة واختيار اللغة التي تختارها. برجاء الاتصال بآروندا كيو بوفورد، مديرة الاتصالات، على abeauford@upperdarbysd.org لطرح أي أسئلة أو تعليقات أو اقتراحات تتعلق بترجمة هذه الوثيقة.

taltazim mintaqat madaris darbi aleulya bialshumuliat wadaman husul jamie 'afrad mujtamaeina ealaa almaelumat almuhimati. tatawafar khutat aitisalat altawari UDSD bieidat lughat liaistieab sukaanina almutanawieayna. 'iidha kunt bihajat 'iilaa alwusul 'iilaa hadha almustanad bilughat ghayr al'iinjliziati, fayurjaa alnaqr fawq ziri 'iimkaniat alwusul (alshakl almulsaq) almawjud fi 'aelaa yamin hadhih alsafhat waikhtiar allughat alati takhtaruha. biraja' alaitisal barwnda kiu bufurd, mudirat alaitisalati, ealaa abeauford@upperdarbysd.org litarh 'ayi 'asyilat 'aw taeliqat 'aw aiqtirahat tataealaq bitarjamat hadhih alwathiqati.

The goal of the Upper Darby School District is to ensure that this document is usable to the widest possible audience, regardless of ability. Smore helps the District provide this The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant document to our community. Smore is guided by the WCAG 2.1 level AA success and conformance criteria and readability considerations such as font type, size, color, contrast, and considerations for a screen reader, motion detector, and voice-to-text software. Visitors to this document are able to access a customizable bar that lets users adjust font size and enable high contrast mode and use a screen reader, enhancing the visual accessibility of this document. Please contact Aaronda Q. Beauford, Director of Communications, at abeauford@upperdarbysd.org with any questions, comments, or suggestions related to accessibility of this document.

This document is subject to periodic revisions and updates. We strive to ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date; however, changes may occur over time and without prior notice. Please consult the latest version of this document for the most current information.

While we strive to ensure the accuracy and quality of our content, there may be occasional errors or inaccuracies. If you come across any mistakes or issues, please contact us to let us know: Aaronda Q. Beauford, Director of Communications, abeauford@upperdarbysd.org. We appreciate your feedback and will do our best to address any concerns promptly. Thank you for your understanding and assistance in improving our work.

The Upper Darby School District disseminates information throughout each of the four (4) phases of the School Emergency Response Plan as follows. Please note that the following indicates how the District responds with communication during each of the stages of the emergency response:

The District takes a proactive approach in sharing with parents/guardians and stakeholders the School Emergency Response Plan and the UDSD Emergency Communications Plan. The Superintendent, Director of Public Safety, Director of Elementary Education, Director of Secondary Education, Director of Pupil Services, the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Principals communicate what the District’s school safety protocols are, the meaning of safety terms and school emergency response protocols.

The Superintendent and Director of Public Safety review this information with the Board and the public every year.

Principals share the School Emergency Response Plan with staff and students and lead practice lock-out, lock-in lockdown and evacuation drills.

The UDSD Emergency Communications Plan has been developed to ensure parents, school district staff, Township residents, school district stakeholders and the media are provided with timely and accurate information during an emergency and serious incident. The Plan is also designed to inform stakeholders of district protocols for changes to the school schedule due to an emergency school closure, late start to school opening and/or early dismissal.

It is the goal of Upper Darby School District that the District be the official source of information for all things related to the Upper Darby School District. The reality for school district is that the emergence of social media has provided a platform, at times, for dissemination of inaccurate information, incomplete information and emergency and serious incident-related rumors from unofficial sources.

Unlike anonymous and/or unofficial sources, the District is obligated to investigate a matter as thoroughly as possible, provide due process to all involved, ensure notification of parent(s)/guardian(s), work with law enforcement and emergency/serious incident response personnel, and ensure student privacy rights are not violated (especially when minors are involved).

One of the goals listed in the District Comprehensive Plan is to continue to improve communication with our stakeholders. This includes ensuring accuracy and increasing the timeliness of our communications as much as possible and providing follow-up information and support when necessary.

The District also has a partnership with local law enforcement and has entered into a state required Memo of Understanding (MOUs) with all appropriate agencies.

Upper Darby School District officials who are charged with communications during an emergency or serious incident aim to disseminate accurate information as quickly as possible. Their objectives include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintaining a safe and welcoming school environment at all times for students, staff, parents and the school community at large

• Building trust with staff, students, parents and the community

• Providing timely, reliable and regular information to parents, staff, students

• Providing other professionals the opportunity to fully complete all necessary investigations

How does the school district communicate emergency/serious incidents and/or changes to the school schedule related to inclement weather or other events? The Upper Darby School District will continue to strategically optimize and leverage email, social media and mobile alerting technology to accelerate emergency notification to school staff, parents/guardians and school community stakeholders. Select communications tools are used to:

In the case of an emergency, the following communications tools are activated:

Emergency/serious incident and school schedule change messages are shared through the District’s official CrisisGo app, which are delivered to registered mobile devices.

The CrisisGo mobile app allows UDSD parents to connect with safety message groups from our school district and individual school buildings. UDSD parents can download the CrisisGo app on their mobile device and create a FREE account. Parents will then need to subscribe to the DISTRICT NEWS group and the school(s) of their choice via the appropriate ID number.

CrisisGo is the fastest way to receive district emergency alerts and messaging. Click on the image to the right to learn how to download the app and register today!

Emergency/serious incident and school schedule change messages are sent to parents and community registrants ParentLink is a robocall and email system that is used to send out mass emails to all parents/guardians using contact information from the Home Access Center (HAC). Voice messages will be accompany email messages as appropriate.

Parent contact information for ParentLink email and voice messaging is accessed from HAC. Parents/Guardians are responsible for keeping contact information (email and phone number) up-to-date in HAC.

Find resources below to help you keep your information up-to-date in HAC.

Community Members can click HERE or on the image to the left to sign up to receive ParentLinks. After clicking on the link, scroll to the bottom of the webpage to "Want to keep up with the latest news and updates from UPPER DARBY SD?" and click SIGN UP. Complete the requested information on the page. Then click to select the schools that you would like to get news and updates from. You will receive a confirmation email within 10 minutes. Please note that ALL communications from selected schools will be emailed to registered recipients.

Emergency/serious incident and school schedule change messages are shared across the District’s official social media, which include Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Parents are encouraged to Like, Follow, and Subscribe to the District’s official social media platforms and to turn on any notifications when possible.

It is important to note that the Upper Darby School District works closely with the Upper Darby Township, Millbourne Borough, and Glenolden Borough by way of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is an agreement between the Upper Darby Township and the Upper Darby School District. The District collaborates with the Police and/or Fire Department leadership to ensure that the information that is shared in District communications does not interfere with or compromise an ongoing investigation. It is also important to note that communication protocols are different when the emergency/serious incident involves a crime having been committed. As per the MOU, the responding police department or fire department will lead all communication. The Upper Darby School District will be included and involved when necessary.

When school district personnel determine there to be a critical incident that might impact the safety of the students, staff and visitors, an alert notification is sent through our CrisisGo mobile application. Prior to this alert, the District will alert police and/or the fire department or both. It is important to note that any district staff member can activate a Lockdown emergency alert through the CrisisGo app.

The alert can be designated as a Lock-Out, Lock-In, Lockdown or Evacuation. As indicated in the table below, the type of emergency response alert will determine the level of district response. Learn more about the emergency preparedness and safety terminology used in District emergency communications in the Lock-Out, Lock-In, Lockdown, Evacuation FAQS for Families document.

When an alert is activated in the CrisisGo app, the following ensues:

1. School staff and district officials receive the alert through the app.

2. The School Emergency Response Plan is immediately activated for all students, staff and any visitors. Local emergency response personnel are contacted as appropriate. Students, staff and visitors are required to comply with the emergency response protocol throughout the incident. School staff and district officials are able to engage in two-way communication through the app.

3. The Superintendent’s Command Center is activated as the centralized command location for the handling of and communication regarding an emergency/serious incident. The Superintendent and/or backup will be in communication with emergency responders and begin to establish an incident command post.

4. The District’s Emergency Response Team connects with the School-Level Emergency Response Team for an overview of the incident and to provide support to the school administration in managing the emergency/serious incident. See below for more about the District’s Emergency Response Team and the chain of command during emergency/serious incidents.

5. The Director of Communications activates the internal and external communications protocol and sends out a communication via the CrisisGo app, ParentLink email, and the District’s official social media to provide an overview of the incident. Depending on the seriousness of the incident, the communication will be reviewed with local police and/or fire for accuracy of information and as to not interrupt an investigation.

6. Communication between the District’s Emergency Response Team and the School-Level Emergency Response Team and any emergency response personnel is maintained throughout the incident.

7. Updates are communicated to district stakeholders and the Board of School Directors throughout the incident as often as possible and/or when new information becomes available.

8. The close-out of the emergency response is communicated to district stakeholders when the incident has ended.

9. An incident follow-up communication is sent to district stakeholders in the case of a lockdown. The Principal communicates with the respective school community following a lock-out, lock-in, lockdown or evacuation incident.

10. The District Emergency Response Team conducts a debriefing on the incident and may include local police and/or fire if necessary.

The District’s Emergency Response Team is comprised of members from each school district department, each offering expertise in a certain area as related to providing support to schools during an emergency/serious incident.

Each member of the District Emergency Response Team is responsible for collaborating with the Superintendent of Schools regarding any services and supports that may be activated during an emergency or serious incident.

Each member of the District’s Emergency Response Team is responsible for collaborating with the Superintendent of Schools, the Director of Communications, and the Director of Public Safety to communicate updates as accurately and as quickly as possible. The District also has an internal document listing backups for each position.

Members of the Team are as follows:

• Superintendent of Schools

• Director of Communications

• Director of Public Safety

• Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

• Assistant Superintendent of Personnel and Equity

• Director of Elementary Education

• Director of Secondary Education

• Chief Financial Officer (Transportation, Facilities, Operations)

• Director of Curriculum and Instruction

• Director of Federal Programs, Grants, Food Service, Counseling and Social Work

• Manager of Data and Information (Student Attendance)

• Director of Pupil Services

• Director of Technology

• Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools

The Superintendent has established a chain of command for the Upper Darby School District Administration Emergency and Serious Incident Communications Team to serve as a hierarchy of authority that dictates levels of communication responsibilities throughout an emergency or serious incident. The graphic below is a representation of the Upper Darby School District Administration Emergency and Serious Incident Communications Team chain of command.

The District Incident Commander is responsible for overseeing all matters related to the emergency or serious incident.

The District Communications Leader is responsible for ensuring that communication flows to district stakeholders during an emergency or serious incident.

The District Commander and District Communications Leader work collaboratively throughout an emergency or serious incident to ensure communication to district stakeholders is accurate, timely and disseminated regularly.

Both the District Incident Commander and District Communications Leader roles each designate primary and two back up personnel to carry out the specific responsibilities.

• The Superintendent is designated as the Primary District Commander. In the event the Superintendent is not on site or unavailable, the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services serves in that capacity, the Chief Financial Officer serves as the 2nd back up, and the Assistant Superintendent of Retention, Recruitment and Culture serves as the 3rd back up.

• The Director of Communications is designated as the Primary District Communications Leader. In the event the Director of Communications is not on site or unavailable, the Director of Curriculum serves in that capacity with the Director of Federal Programs and Grants serving as the 2nd back up and the Manager of Data and Information serving as the 3rd back up.

Communication updates to the school district community will proceed from the Superintendent — in collaboration with the Director of Public Safety and the Director of Elementary Education or the Director of Secondary Education — to the Director of Communications. The Superintendent and Director of Communications will be kept informed of the status of the incident throughout the incident.

Again, each member of the District Emergency Communications Team is responsible for collaborating with the District Incident Commander (Superintendent of Schools or designee) and the District Communications Leader (Director of Communications or designee) in communicating to district stakeholders any services and supports that may be activated during an emergency/serious incident.

While the decision to delay school opening, dismiss students early or close schools is based on several factors, the most important factor is student safety. Some of the other factors the District takes into account when making a decision regarding the school schedule include a threat against a school, road conditions, student transportation, temperature, weather predictions, and school campus conditions (i.e. parking lots, sidewalks, bus loops, etc.).

The District aims to make information available to families about the change in the school day schedule as soon as possible through the communication tools outlined on above.

• If a decision to close schools is to be made the day before the inclement weather event or for another reason, we will do our best to make a decision by 6:15 p.m. the day prior.
• If a decision to close schools is made on the morning of the inclement weather event, it will be made by 5:30 a.m.
• There may be circumstances that require us to close school after 5:30 a.m., and we will communicate the reason for such a decision.

• If a decision to schedule a 2-hour delay is made before the inclement weather event, it will be made by 6:15 p.m. If a decision to close schools is made on the morning of the inclement weather event, it will be made by 5:30 a.m.

• A decision as to whether or not to close schools following a 2-hour delay will be made no later than 9:00 a.m.

• A decision to close schools early following an inclement weather event that begins after 9:00 a.m. will be made and communicated as soon as possible.

• A decision as to whether or not to cancel after-school activities will be made no later than 1:00 p.m. on the day of the inclement weather event.

• If a decision to dismiss schools early is made before the inclement weather event, it will be made by 6:15 p.m. If a decision to dismiss schools early is made on the morning of the inclement weather event, it will be made by 9:00 a.m.

• A decision to dismiss schools early following an inclement weather event beginning after 9:00 a.m. will be made and communicated as soon as possible.

• A decision as to whether or not to cancel after-school activities will be made no later than 1:00 p.m. on the day of the inclement weather event.

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