Safety
Planning for Emergencies
Oyster River Cooperative School District's (ORCSD) purpose when emergency planning is to establish a systematic approach to prevent, respond to, and recover from potential emergencies or disasters. It involves creating strategies, procedures, and protocols to mitigate the impact of emergencies on individuals, communities, and the school district.
ORCSD has established partnerships with all local emergency departments to develop and perform assessments of the Emergency Operations Plans. During the various drills we conduct throughout the year, local emergency departments are present to assist and assist with ensuring the safety of all students and staff.
Types of Drills
New Hampshire state law mandates ten drills throughout the school year. Six of the drills are fire drills. One is an active shooter drill. Three others will be “all-purpose” drills, which can include severe weather, reverse evacuation, earthquake, and others. We conduct an “evacuation drill” once a year, which consists of moving the students from the school to another area.
Terms and Definitions Used by ORCSD
Activated when there is an active violent event happening inside of the school.
What is ALICE?
ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. It is not meant to follow chronologically, but to assist in a case of a violent critical incident. ALICE is the original civilian active shooter response training delivered with a trauma-informed approach in an age and ability appropriate way.
As a community, it is unfortunate that we must educate our students and staff about response to violent events. Statistics show that businesses and outdoor public areas are the most common for these events to take place, not schools. The purpose of these trainings is to empower our students to help them make the best possible decision if they find themselves in one of these events. Oyster River utilizes discussions and drills as an educational opportunity.
An evacuation is activated when it is necessary for staff and students to exit the building.
A reverse evacuation is activated when it is necessary for staff and students to enter the school quickly to avoid a dangerous, or potentially dangerous, situation outside of the school.
In the event an evacuation to another location were to be necessary, there will be a family reunification process. Parents/guardians will be notified by the district in order to be reunited with their student(s).
Once the reunification site is announced, students and parents/guardians will check in and follow instructions to be reunited with their student. This process will be communicated by the district.
During the reunification process, students and parents/guardians will have access to necessities, such as food and water. Mental health services wil also be available.
A scan is activated when it is necessary for school team members to look around their area for any item that does not belong. This may be used in the event of a bomb threat and any other situation that requires staff to look for a specific item that may potentially cause harm.
Activated when it is necessary to protect staff and students from a threat outside of the school building.
A shelter-in-place is activated to protect students and staff from various concerns. A shelter-in-place can also be activated to protecting the privacy of a person requiring medical attention. Classes will continue as normal unless directed to carry on further emergency direction.
A School Resource Officer (SRO) is a uniformed law inforcement officer assigned to one or more schools.
School Resource Officer
Substance Abuse and Online Safety
Every two years, the Oyster River Middle School and Oyster River High School participate in the Youth Behavior Risk Survey, which identifies the six types of health-related behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and adults. The six types are:
- Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
- Sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection
- Alcohol and other drug use
- Tobacco use
- Unhealthy dietary behaviors
- Inadequate physical activity
ORCSD administrators review the results and make decisions to educate and further prevent students from risky behavior. Some of the educational programs utilized are presentations by Breathe New Hampshire, Parent Education with the School Resource Officer and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Britta Bartlett. Guest speakers are also invited to speak about their experiences and educate students about the dangers of substances.
High School Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor