TSD Standard Reunification Method

STUDENT/PARENT/GUARDIAN REUNIFICATION 

Circumstances may occur at the school that require parent/guardians to pick up their student/s in a formalized, controlled release. This process is called a Reunification and may be necessary due to weather, power outage, hazmat or if a crisis occurs at the school. The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes 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 a student usually attends. If the location is at another school campus, the students that attend there may also be released in a controlled way.

 

NOTIFICATION 

Parent/guardians may be notified in a number of ways. The school or district will most likely use the mass notification system using phone or text messages. In some cases, students may be asked to send a text message to their parent/guardians. A reunification text message from a student may look something like this: “The school has closed, please pick me up at 3:25 at the main entrance of (location). Bring your ID. “ 

 

PARENT/GUARDIAN EXPECTATIONS 

If a parent/guardian is notified that a reunification is needed, there are some expectations that parent/guardians should be aware of. First, bring identification. That will streamline things during reunification. Second, be patient. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent/guardian. 

 

WHAT IF A PARENT/GUARDIAN CAN’T PICK-UP THEIR STUDENT? 

When a parent/guardian can’t immediately go to the reunification site, students will only be released to individuals previously identified as a student’s emergency contact. Otherwise, the school will hold students until parent/guardian or emergency contacts can pick up their student. 

 

WHAT IF THE STUDENT DROVE TO SCHOOL? 

There may be instances where a student may not be allowed to remove a vehicle from the parking lot. In this case, parents/guardians are advised to recover the student. In some circumstances, high school students may be released on their own. 

 

 HOW IT WORKS 

For students, the school asks that students be orderly and quiet while waiting. Students may be asked to text a message to their parents/guardians. Students are also asked not to send other text messages either in or out of the school or reunification area. Keeping the cellular network usage at a minimum will  be important during a reunification. 

 

REUNIFICATION CARDS 

For parents/guardians, there are a couple of steps. If you are driving to the school, greater awareness of traffic and emergency vehicles is advised. Parents/guardians should park where indicated and not abandon vehicles. Go to the Reunification “Check In” area and form lines based on the first letter of their student’s last name. While in line, parents/guardians will be asked to fill out a reunification card. 

 

This card is perforated and will be separated during the process. Some of the same information is repeated on both the top and separated bottom of the card. Parents/guardians are asked to complete all parts of the card. 

 

In the case of multiple students being reunified, a separate card for each student needs to be completed.

 

BRING ID TO CHECK IN 

During check in, identification and custody rights are confirmed. The card is separated and the bottom half given back to the parent/guardian. 

 

From the “Check In” area parents/guardians are directed to the “Reunification” area. There, a runner will take the bottom half of the card and take it to the Student Assembly Area to recover the student or students. 

 

Parents/guardians should be aware that in some cases, they may be invited into the building for further information. 

 

INTERVIEWS AND COUNSELING 

In some cases, parents/guardians may be advised that a law enforcement investigation is underway and may be advised that interviews are necessary. In extreme cases, parents/guardians may be pulled aside for emergency or medical information.