Emergency Preparedness
Dear Parents,
In these uneasy times of international crisis, we would like to assure our parents, students, and faculty that we are doing everything possible to provide a safe environment on our campuses. With safety and security our utmost concern, administrators are currently reviewing policies and procedures in the event of an emergency. The Bolles School has in place an emergency plan that encompasses procedures for notifying proper authorities, school closure, chemical exposure, kidnapping or hostage situations, fire drills, bomb threats, severe weather, etc… In light of our current status, we have also expanded these policies to include any type of terrorist and/or biological or radiological situation.
If it is decided for any reason that school closure is necessary, The Bolles School will utilize WJXT TV 4 (ABC), WTLV TV 12 (NBC), WTEV TV 47 (CBS), WAWS TV 30 (Fox), all Clear Channel radio stations (WQIK, WBGB, WROO, WPLA, WFKS, WFXJ, WJGR, WZNZ, WUVT, WSOL, WZAZ) and Radio 96.1 FM along with other local media to disseminate current information. In addition, current news will immediately be placed on the front page of the School Web site (www.bolles.org). It may be difficult to reach the School by telephone in a crisis situation, so if the lines are busy, please look at the School Web site and listen to local media to decide if you should pick up your child. If an emergency happens during the School day, the Parent Association will also be called upon to put the "emergency telephone tree" into effect to attempt to telephone every parent to notify them of school closure. Again, telephones may be unreliable, so please use the Web site, local media, and your instincts to decide whether to come to school or not. The School is currently researching alternate methods of communication to reach parents of students in an emergency situation. Parents of boarding students will receive more specific information from the resident directors.
The Bolles School elevates our own alert status as the Homeland Security Task Force elevates the status of our country. We will take increased precautions and consistently review current plans and procedures to make sure that our students and faculty are safe. We will follow the advice of local law enforcement agents and have contacts with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to ask questions or advice for any situation. Additional safety information provided by the American Red Cross has also been linked to the Bolles Web site if you would like to seek additional information for your family on how to prepare for a disaster or emergency situation.
If you had concerns about emergency procedures at Bolles, we hope we have put your mind at ease. While we pray that these procedures are never implemented, please be comforted in knowing that we are prepared and your child will be with caring hands and hearts. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to call.
Most Sincerely,
John E. Trainer, Jr., Ph.D.
President and Head of School