Emergency Information

Weather and Emergency Announcements

In the event of inclement weather or an emergency situation, the Puyallup School District takes every precaution to ensure the safety of students. Arrangements have been made with radio stations, TV stations, and Internet sites to broadcast emergency information regarding the operation of school. (Open a one-page printable version of this information in the 2010-11 Emergency Bulletin, pdf, 59kb.)

Inclement weather information

The school district will keep the community informed through the Public Schools Emergency Communications System through the following radio stations, TV stations, and Internet sites.

Radio and Television Stations

KIRO 97.3 FM

KOMO 1000 AM ot 97.7 FM

KOMO TV Channel 4

KING TV Channel 5 or KONG TV Channel 6

KIRO TV Channel 7

If the Puyallup School District is not mentioned during the news broadcast, school will be open with buses operating on as normal a schedule as possible. Broadcasts begin at 5:30 am.

SchoolMessenger

The school district’s SchoolMessenger automated telephone parent notification system can rapidly alert parents of weather-related school closures or changes in start or dismissal times. The system is programmed to call the primary number that parents/guardians have listed on their child’s enrollment card.

Internet Sites

www.SchoolReport.org

www.puyallup.k12.wa.us (click the Emergency Info button at the top of any page on this Puyallup School District Web site)

Emergency during school

The district has a centralized Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and each school site has a building EOC. These EOC teams have developed plans for and hold drills on a variety of crises including fire, earthquakes, Sheltering-In-Place, intruders, and lahar (valley schools). As part of these emergency plans, there is trained staff in the schools to respond to emergencies. Depending on the type of emergency, decisions affecting schools will be made by district officials in collaboration with the Pierce County Sheriff and Puyallup Police Department. Please do not call the school, transportation department, or district office. If the phone lines are working, they will be used for emergency communication. The district will communicate decisions to parents and the community via radio, television, SchoolMessenger, and the Internet.

Emergency announcements

The following is an explanation of several district announcements used during inclement weather or other emergency situations.

Closed or Schools Closed
No schools are in session in the Puyallup School District. This applies only to the day that the announcement is made. There is no out-of-district transportation. All after-school and evening activities are canceled when schools are closed.

One Hour Late
Bus pick-up schedules will be one hour late, and buses will try to operate on normal routes. Classes will dismiss at the normal time unless otherwise announced. When schools begin one hour late, YMCA daycare also will run one hour late. Lunches will be served throughout the district.

Two-Hour Late Start

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - All Grades
In the event of a weather-related or other two-hour late start on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, bus pick-up schedules will be two hours late, and buses will try to operate on all normal routes. Classes will dismiss at the normal time unless otherwise announced. The following classes or programs will not be held:

Morning (am) preschool

Morning (am) kindergarten

Elementary band and orchestra

SOS

Morning (am) SUMMIT at Sparks Stadium

YMCA daycare also will run two hours late. There will be no breakfast, but lunches will be served throughout the district.
Afternoon (pm) kindergarten and preschool will run on regular schedule.

Wednesday - Kindergarten
The kindergarten session (am or pm) scheduled on a Wednesday with a two-hour late start will start school two hours late, have lunch at school, and be in session for a full school day (dismissed at the same time as grades 1-6 are dismissed on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday).

Wednesday - Grades 1-6
Elementary school will begin two hours late and students will be dismissed at their normal Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday release time.

Wednesday - Junior High Schools and High Schools
Junior high and high schools will follow the regular bell schedules for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and begin two hours late. Students will remain in session until regular dismissal time.

Updated 2/24/11