Parents Encouraged to Include Emergency Preparedness in Back-to-School Plans

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Education

In the next few weeks, students from pre-kindergarten through college will be headed back to school. As parents prepare their students for the new academic year, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies across the state are encouraging parents to include emergency preparedness in their back-to-school plans. “Emergencies can occur any time of the day or night, including when children are in school,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. Joseph offered several back-to-school planning tips for parents of school-aged children, including:

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Education

  • Find out where children will be taken in the event of an evacuation during school hours.
  • Ensure your current emergency contact information is on file at your child’s school.
  • Pre-authorize a friend or relative to pick up your children in an emergency and make sure the school knows who that designated person is.

Students headed off to college also need to be prepared for emergencies. Many college campuses offer email and text messages to alert students of potential dangers, such as severe weather and other threats. Encourage your college student to sign-up for such alerts. Some colleges also provide alert messages for parents so they also are aware of potential dangers on campus. In addition, make sure your student knows the emergency plans for their dorm or apartment building. Additional preparedness information is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

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