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Creating Safe Spaces for Student Success

 

At Appling County Schools, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families is our top priority. We are committed to creating secure, supportive learning environments and being fully prepared to respond to any emergency situation.

School safety includes keeping campuses free of crime and violence, improving discipline, and increasing student attendance. Schools that are safe and free of violence, weapons, and drugs are essential to ensuring the well-being of all children and maintaining the quality of their education.

In accordance with Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1185), all schools are required to develop and annually update comprehensive school safety plans. These plans are submitted to the local law enforcement, the local emergency management agency, and reviewed by the Georgia Office of Homeland Security (GEMA). The Appling County School System’s plans are designed to provide structured, effective responses to a wide range of potential emergencies.

 

🔁 Continuous ACSS School Safety Initiatives

Appling County School System promotes an active and collaborative school safety program in partnership with the Appling County Sheriff’s Office and other local emergency agencies.

All schools conduct required safety drills multiple times each year to prepare students and staff for various emergency scenarios. In addition, tabletop and field exercises are conducted throughout the district as part of our ongoing safety readiness efforts.

These exercises often involve:

  • Students and staff
  • School administrators and central office personnel
  • Emergency response teams (law enforcement, fire, EMS)
  • Representatives from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA)

 

These drills and exercises occur multiple times annually and cover a variety of emergency situations, helping ensure that all stakeholders are trained and confident in their roles during a crisis.

 

📢 How We Communicate During an Emergency

In the event of a school emergency, we are committed to keeping families informed with accurate and timely information. We use several communication methods, including:

  • Phone calls (robocalls)
  • Text messages
  • Updates on the official Appling County School System website
  • Posts on our Official Social Media Accounts 

To ensure you receive these updates, please make sure your contact information is current with your child’s school.

 

Standard Response Protocols

The Standard Response Protocol was adopted in collaboration with the  and other first responders. All Appling County School System's staff and students will train and respond to appropriate emergency conditions utilizing one or more of the strategies of the Standard Response Protoco1.

 

Lockdown

 

 

LOCKDOWN is called when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building.

The following are some examples of when a school or emergency dispatch might call for a LOCKDOWN:

  • Active shooter
  • Intruder
  • Angry or violent parent or student
  • Dangerous animal on school grounds
  • Criminal activity in area
  • Civil disobedience

 

Evacuate

 

EVACUATE is called to move students and staff from one location to another.

The following are some examples of when a school or emergency dispatch might call for an EVACUATE condition:

  • Fire in the building
  • Bomb threat or Explosion
  • Severe damage to the building as a result from a man-made or natural disaster
  • Biological, Chemical, or other HAZMAT incident inside the building

 

Shelter

 

SHELTER is called when the need for personal protection is necessary.

The following are some examples of when a school or emergency dispatch might call for a SHELTER condition:

  • Severe weather conditions
  • Non-emergency incident isolated to one part of the building
  • Severe damage outside of the building as a result from a man-made or natural disaster
  • Biological, Chemical, or other HAZMAT incident inside the building

 

Standard Reunification Method

Reunify

 

A REUNIFY condition calls for parents to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release.

A Reunification process may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, hazmat or if a crisis occurs at the school. Appling County School System uses a Standard Reunification Method to make this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved. Because a reunification is not a typical end of school day event, a reunification may occur at a different location than the school student attends. If this location is another school, then those students may be subject to a controlled release as well.

The following are some examples of when a school or emergency dispatch might call for a REUNIFY condition:

  • Severe weather conditions
  • Crisis at a school
  • Power/water outage
  • Biological, Chemical, or other HAZMAT incident on campus or nearby campus.