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Safety & Security

Safety and security at Clallam Bay School are guided by the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), a common-language framework used across the Cape Flattery School District and Washington State. This system ensures that students, staff, and first responders all use the same terms to react quickly to any situation.

1. The Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

Instead of using confusing "color codes," Clallam Bay uses five specific actions. Each is triggered by a specific announcement over the PA system:

ACTION DIRECTIVE WHEN IT’S USED
HOLD "In your room or area. Clear the halls." Used for internal issues like a medical emergency in a hallway or a spill. Learning continues as normal inside the classroom.
SECURE "Get inside. Lock outside doors." Used when there is a threat outside the school (e.g., local police activity or dangerous wildlife). No one enters or leaves, but classes continue normally.
LOCKDOWN "Locks, lights, out of sight." Used for a threat inside the building. Doors are locked, lights are turned off, and students move to a "safe zone" out of sight.
EVACUATE "To a location." Used for fire, gas leaks, or other hazards that make the building unsafe. Students leave belongings and follow staff to a designated site.
SHELTER "Hazard and safety strategy." Used for natural events like earthquakes or tsunamis. Strategies include "Drop, Cover, and Hold" or moving to higher ground.

2. Visitor Management & Physical Security

To maintain a secure perimeter, Clallam Bay employs several layers of physical and digital security:

  • Single Point of Entry: During school hours, all exterior doors remain locked. The only way to enter is through the main front office.

  • Visitor Screening: All visitors must check in at the front office. Staff are required to use a school-issued ID to be scanned prior to entrance. 

  • Surveillance: The campus is equipped with security cameras that monitor entrances and common areas to provide real-time situational awareness for administrators.

3. Required Drills & Training

Washington state law (RCW 28A.320.125) requires schools to practice these responses regularly so they become "muscle memory" rather than a source of panic.

  • Monthly Drills: The school conducts at least one safety drill per month.

  • Drill Types: These include fire drills, lockdown drills (at least 3 per year), and earthquake/tsunami preparedness drills.

  • Trauma-Informed Approach: Drills are designed to be age-appropriate and focused on preparation, not fear. Students are taught to be "emergency prepared, not emergency scared."

4. Communication with Families

In the event of a real emergency or an unannounced drill, the district prioritizes accurate and timely communication.

  • Primary Tool: The district typically uses ParentSquare (or a similar mass notification system) to send instant texts, emails, and app notifications to parents.

  • The "Wait" Rule: Parents are asked not to call or rush to the school during a live incident. This keeps phone lines open for emergency services and prevents traffic congestion that could block ambulances or police.

  • Reunification: If an evacuation occurs, the school will notify parents of a specific Reunification Site. You will be required to show a photo ID to sign out your student.

  • In today’s digital world, keeping our students safe online is just as important as keeping them safe on the playground. At Clallam Bay School, we want our students to explore and learn through technology, but we also recognize the risks—such as cyberbullying, privacy breaches, and exposure to inappropriate content.

    Internet safety starts with three core habits:

    • Open Communication: Talk to your children regularly about what they are doing online and who they are talking to.

    • Privacy Awareness: Teach students never to share personal information like their home address, phone number, or school name.

    • Setting Boundaries: Use parental controls and establish "digital-free zones" at home to ensure a healthy balance between screen time and real-world activities.

    Reliable Resources for Families

    Navigating the complexities of apps, social media, and gaming can be overwhelming. To help, we recommend utilizing the resources provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. Their guide offers practical tips for parents to recognize "red flags" and provides clear instructions on how to protect your child’s digital footprint.

    For more information and expert-backed strategies, please visit: Keeping Children Safe Online - U.S. Department of Justice

  • When a student is injured at Clallam Bay School, the staff follows a specific set of protocols designed to ensure the student's safety, provide immediate care, and keep families informed. This procedure is guided by Cape Flattery School District Policy 3418.

    Here is a step-by-step guide to what happens behind the scenes.

    Step 1: Immediate First Aid & Scene Safety

    The first adult on the scene (teacher, coach, or staff member) immediately assesses the situation:

    • Minor Injuries: For scrapes, small bruises, or minor cuts, the student is escorted to the school office or health room.

    • Serious Injuries: If the injury appears severe (e.g., broken bone, heavy bleeding, or loss of consciousness), the student is not moved. Staff will secure the area and call for the school’s designated first-aid lead or the school nurse.

    Step 2: Assessment in the Health Room

    Once the student is in the office or health room, a staff member trained in first aid will:

    1. Assess the Severity: Check vital signs and the nature of the injury.

    2. Provide Basic Treatment: This includes cleaning wounds, applying bandages, or providing an ice pack.

      • Note: Per state law, school staff cannot provide medication (including Tylenol or Neosporin) without a specific doctor’s order on file.

    3. Determine Next Steps: They will decide if the student can return to class, needs to be picked up by a parent, or requires emergency medical services.

    Step 3: Parent & Emergency Notification

    Communication with the family depends on the urgency of the injury:

    • Emergency (911): If the injury is life-threatening or requires immediate professional medical intervention, 911 is called first, followed immediately by a call to the parent/guardian.

    • Non-Emergency Pick-up: For injuries that aren't life-threatening but require a doctor’s visit (like a deep cut or a suspected sprain), the office will call the primary contact listed in Skyward/Q.

    • Minor "Ouchies": For very minor injuries where the student returns to class, the school may send a note home or a brief email via ParentSquare to keep you in the loop.

    Step 4: Documentation (The Accident Report)

    For any injury more significant than a minor scrape, the school completes a Student Accident Report. This internal document records:

    • The exact time and location of the incident.

    • What equipment or activities were involved.

    • Witness statements.

    • The specific first aid actions taken by staff.

    Important Note on Insurance: > The school district does not provide medical insurance for student injuries. Parents are responsible for any medical bills (including ambulance fees). However, the district often provides information on low-cost, optional student accident insurance at the beginning of the year.

    Head Injuries & Concussions

    Clallam Bay takes head injuries very seriously. If a student bumps their head:

    1. Notification: Parents are always notified of a head injury, no matter how minor it seems.

    2. Monitoring: The student will be monitored for signs of a concussion (dizziness, nausea, blurred vision).

    3. Return to Play: If the injury happened during sports, the student must follow a specific "Return to Play" protocol and provide a medical clearance note from a doctor before returning to practice or games.