Apple Valley Unified School District is dedicated to the safety and security of our students, staff, and visitors. To actively maintain the safest schools possible, Apple Valley USD has formed partnerships with local law enforcement and public safety agencies to take necessary steps to ensure security. Schools and buildings of the Apple Valley Unified School District are some of the safest in the community.

• Each school has a Safe School Plan and the staff at your child’s school are familiar with that plan.

• Each school participates in Annual Preparedness Drills, including earthquake drills, fire drills, lockdown drills, and violent intruder drills.

• Key staff have completed Community Emergency Response Training (CERT).

• All schools have implemented the Raptor visitor check-in system, which screens campus visitors by scanning their identification card when they check-in at the office or campus entry point.

Below is a list of potential scenarios that would be defined as an “emergency”.

• Earthquake

• Fire

• Criminal Activity

• Violent Intruder

• Bomb Threats

• Hazardous Waste/Material Spills

• Extreme Weather

• Flooding

If an emergency situation occurs in or near a school that threatens school safety, the school may initiate one of the following emergency actions.

PARENTSQUARE

Automated calls, texts, and/or emails will be sent to families through ParentSquare when it is safe and/or possible to do so. Please verify with your student's school that your contact information is up-to-date. 

AVUSD WEBSITE

During an emergency, important information and updates will be posted to AVUSD.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Important information may be shared on the District’s social media feeds. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

AVUSD is committed to providing clear communications and will provide parents with an update once the information has been received and once it is safe to do so. In the event of any emergency, the first priority of the district is to ensure student safety. We understand that these situations are serious and can raise fears for both students and parents alike. We ask that our families adhere to the following guidelines, in order to best ensure the safety of all involved:

• Remain calm.

• Carefully follow the instructions of school personnel, emergency responders, and/or law enforcement.

• Be aware of what is going on around you.

• Have a photo ID ready to present to staff when signing for your student.

• Monitor our website, the ParentSquare app, and the AVUSD social media page for updates.

• Avoid calling the school. If you must contact the school, please understand that phone lines may be busy, as staff attempt to communicate with law enforcement, first responders, and incoming callers.

• To ensure the safety of all on campus, no one will be allowed to enter the school if an emergency action has been issued.  Student safety is our top priority. Parents picking up their students could potentially block emergency traffic from quickly entering the campus. Do not pick up your student until the emergency action has been lifted.

• Landline phones, cell phones, and traffic signals may not work, depending on the nature of the emergency.

• Your child will be cared for. Our District is equipped to provide for the students in our charge for up to 72 hours in the event of an emergency. This includes providing necessary food and shelter until we can reunite your student with you or your designated contact.

• Students may be cared for at their primary school or may be transported to another site. In the event that students are relocated, the new location will be posted at the primary school. 

• Communication will come as soon as possible. In such an incident, details are often vague and fluid. It can take some time for the facts to be confirmed, since working with multiple agencies can take time.