Emergency Preparedness

Student and staff safety is our first priority:

• Each of our schools has a unique critical incident plan specific to the staff, the facility and the students in that school.
• District-wide and building-level safety teams are trained to implement detailed emergency plans focused on prevention, preparation and response.
• Each building conducts at least 15 safety drills a year.
• Our District works closely with local law enforcement and other first responders to ensure that our school safety plans are effective and up-to-date.
• View the 2024-25 District-Wide School Safety Plan. Please note that specific details of SOCSD safety plans and evacuation locations are not made public so as not to jeopardize the efficiency of the plans or the safety of students and staff. 
• Important information for families regarding student wellness, safety procedures and communications is published in the Guide to the School Year, which is mailed to all South Orangetown residents in August of each year.

Emergency Communication

In any emergency situation, it is critically important school leaders and safety personnel can respond quickly. Student and staff safety is our first priority.

• SOCSD administrators, District communications channels (ParentSquare, website, etc.) and law enforcement personnel are the ONLY official sources of information in a school emergency.
  • Parents and guardians will be alerted by SOCSD via ParentSquare email when their child’s school is managing an incident.
  • If parent action is needed, ParentSquare robocalls (to wireless and landline phones) and emails will be sent to all primary and emergency contact phone numbers on file.

Family Preparedness

Families also play an important role in prevention, preparedness and response. We need your support so that our school District can respond quickly, safely and appropriately in the event of an emergency.

• Ensure your child’s school has up-to-date phone numbers, email and street addresses for you and all emergency contacts.
• Add “donotreply@parentsquare.com” to your email contacts list and designate this email address as a trusted or “safe” sender to ensure that you receive ParentSquare emails.
• Have a family emergency plan and be sure that you have an alternate child care provider in place and listed as an emergency contact in your child’s record in the event of an early dismissal. Students may only be released to a parent or emergency contact designated for student release. Photo identification is required. When creating a family emergency plan, make sure to cover:
  • Your child’s bus number and bus stop location;
  • Who will meet your child at the bus stop (WOS students only)
  • How they will get into your home (e.g., location of key or security code); and,
  • The names and numbers of who your child needs to call when they get home
• In the event of an incident, wait for information from SOCSD. Do not rush to a site. It is important that roadways and school grounds remain clear for first responders. If parent action is needed, ParentSquare robocalls and emails with detailed information will be sent to  primary and emergency contacts on file.
• Do not share any information regarding District or school safety drills, plans or procedures on social media. Be aware that students and people outside our community are members of local social media groups.
• Call for help if students or adults are experiencing a behavioral health crisis or to report a threat:
  • Rockland County Behavioral Health Response Team Crisis Line: (845) 517-0400 or 911
  • Orangetown Police Department: (845) 359-3700
  • SPEAK UP Hotline: 1+ (866)-SPEAK-UP
  • National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Reach out to your child’s school. It is important that students feel safe at school, especially after a crisis. Should there be a need, SOCSD will provide support services to students and/or staff.

For additional guidance, visit the FEMA Making a Family Emergency Plan webpage