Mater Dei Academy has a safety plan that is available in the school office and in every classroom. This plan covers scenarios including building security, potentially dangerous school incidents, bomb threat, active shooter, and suspicious package and/or substance, serious crime/illness/injury, tornado, fire, lockdown, utility emergency, and evacuation procedures. In case of a crisis, a crisis management team is activated under the direction of the diocese/city school district, which works with local and state law enforcement and emergency personnel. In the event of an act of terrorism or bioterrorism, the school would follow the orders of emergency management organizations and local EMS/fire departments. 

Communications

Parents will be notified of any emergency that necessitates early release, evacuation, or any variance from typical dismissal time through Digital Academy, email and text messaging.

Alerts

A severe Threat Level Red declared before school hours by the US Department of Homeland Security or local authorities, may necessitate the cancellation of school and school activities. In the event that a Threat Level Red is declared during school hours, school will remain open until regular dismissal times unless otherwise directed by state and local emergency management organizations.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY NOTES 

To build good safety habits, parent cooperation is needed. Please discuss with your children the following:

1. Children who ride bikes to school should be instructed concerning safe and proper use of such a vehicle. All bikes are to be locked. The school does not assume responsibility for bikes.
2. Children who have parental permission to walk to or from school must have a written note for the office and should be instructed concerning safety when alone or in small groups. Further directions will be communicated to these students regarding which doors to use.
3. In an effort to prevent accidents, students should not engage in body-contact games or roughness of any kind. Students may not grab or drag other students or make any gesture imitating a weapon. Games, such as tackle football or keep away are not to be played. “Funfighting” is not an acceptable form of play.
4. According to state law, a fire drill must be conducted during each month that school is in session. The first drill must be conducted within the first ten (10) days of school. Children must leave the building orderly and quickly in absolute silence and remain so in ranks outside.
5. Tornado, evacuation, and lockdown drills are also practiced as required by state law. These are serious drills and must be handled as such