Family Handbook 2024-25

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, POLICIES AND IT SUPPORT

Evacuation

Evacuation drills are held six times throughout the academic year in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code. The signal to evacuate is a continuous triple ring. All individuals must leave immediately by the nearest exit and assemble in designated evacuation locations around the school by Core Class in the Junior School, and by a designated student group in the Upper School (i.e. House, Form) so that the Junior and Upper School Day School Offices can account for student attendance. Emergency evacuation information is posted in each room. Students and employees are instructed to leave their belongings in the building. Evacuations occur in the event of a fire, gas leak or some other emergency in which the building must be evacuated immediately, regardless of the weather. Students and employees are not permitted to enter the building until the “All Clear” signal has been given by Havergal’s Security Team. Students and employees should follow directions from the School Response Team for the duration of the evacuation.

Hold and Secure

Hold and Secure is a response to a threat in the general vicinity of a school, but not related to the College. This could be a police pursuit, a crime in progress or an active search by local police for a suspect within the neighbourhood. Students, employees and visitors are considered to be safe inside the school. If it is deemed safe, school activities may continue as usual inside the building only. The signal to go into hold and secure is an announcement from Security indicating the required action. Shelter in Place Shelter in Place is a response to an environmental risk outside of the building, such as a severe weather warning (e.g. tornado) or the presence of a chemical, biological or radiological contaminant that has been accidentally or intentionally released into the environment. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are considered to be safe inside the school buildings and school activities may continue as usual inside the building only. The signal to go into shelter in place is an announcement from Security indicating the action required.

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