Issue | Background | Findings | Conclusions | Recommendations | Responses | Attachments Summary of Disaster

R4

Are there assigned responsibilities for full time regular employees to care for children in the event there is a disaster during school hours when children are in attendance?

R5

Have the employees been trained and understand their responsibilities? ___ When?

R6

How long is each facility prepared to hold students? ________________________

R3

Each district should inform parents, in writing, that telephone communications might not be possible in an emergency and should spell out how their school will provide for children in the event of a major disaster. Response: The District is currently formulating a special communication to parents which will be placed in a school newsletter, explaining the procedures that would be utilized in the event of an emergency. We would expect to have this information published by early November in conjunction with the mailing of the respective parent newsletters. We will endeavor to continue our planning and communication with local police and fire departments and hope to never have to utilize these procedures. Sincerely, Michael J. Crilly Superintendent LA HONDA-PESCADERO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT P.O. Box 189 • 620 North Street, Pescadero, CA 94060 650-879-0286 • FAX 650-879-0816 Timothy A. Beard, Superintendent A Lighthouse District October 31, 2006 Hon. Steven M. Hall Judge of the Superior Court Hall of Justice 400 County Center, 2nd floor Redwood City, CA 94063-1655 Dear Judge Hall: This letter is in response to the 2005-06 County Grand Jury report on “Disaster Preparedness in San Mateo County Public School Districts”. The La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District has considered the Grand Jury’s findings and submits this letter in response to the recommendations to school districts. Our school district, which has an enrollment of less than 400 students in grades K-12, covers a large geographical area along the southern coast of San Mateo County. Because of our isolation and the lack of local services in this part of the county, we are especially concerned about the safety of students in the event of an emergency. The district’s emergency plan is currently being revised to address a range of safety issues from intruder attacks to bird flu. We will incorporate the findings of the Grand Jury report in the development of our revised plan. The timeline for completing this task is as follows: September-November Revise district plan December 8 Governing Board approves final plan January 2007 Staff training in implementing emergency plan January 2007 Information to parents about emergency procedures The La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District agrees with the Grand Jury that the safety of students in our schools is of the utmost importance, and the findings of this report will be helpful to us as we revise our plan to prepare for emergencies that may occur in our area. Sincerely, Timothy A. Beard, District Superintendent Administrative Offices Las Lomitas School La Entrada School 1011 Altschul Avenue 299 Alameda de las Pulgas 2200 Sharon Road Menlo Park, CA 94025 Atherton, CA 94027 Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 854-2880 (650) 854-5900 (650) 854-3962 www.llesd.k12.ca.us [Kindergarten – Grade 3] [Grades 4-8] July 25, 1006 Honorable Stephen M. Hall Judge of the Superior Court Hall of Justice 400 County Center: 2nd Floor Redwood City, CA 94063-1655 Dear Judge Hall: The following comments are in response to the Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations related to Disaster Preparedness in San Mateo County Schools: The Grand Jury recommends that all school districts in San Mateo County review the following recommendations and comply as soon as possible: 1. At the beginning of each school year, each district or school should review its emergency plans and update training of personnel. We agree with the finding. The recommendation has been implemented and has been a regular, annual practice for many years. 2. Each school site housing children should have emergency communication equipment that will operate independently of the land-line or cellular phone systems to guarantee reliable communication with police and fire departments. We agree with the finding. The recommendation has been partially implemented. We have “independent” emergency communication equipment that provides communication among the school sites and the district office. We are awaiting the allocation of a band width / contact provision from both the police and fire departments. 3. Each district should inform parents, in writing, that telephone communications might not be possible in an emergency and should spell out how their school will provide for children in the event of a major disaster. We agree with the finding. The recommendation has been implemented and has been a part of our annual back-to-school information for many years. Sincerely, Mary Ann Somerville District Superintendent District Office Board of Education 181 Encinal Avenue Bruce Ives Atherton, California 94027 Carol Orton 650-321-7140 Laura Rich FAX: 650-321-7184 Nancy Serrurier www.mpcsd.org Terry Thygesen A Community of educators, scholars, parents and staff working together to inspire, serve, challenge and enrich all students Kenneth Ranella, Superintendent October 6, 2006 Jo Sauer Mitchell, Honorable Stephen M. Hall Asst.Supt/Curriculum & Judge of the Superior Court Instruction Hall of Justice 400 County Center, 2nd Floor Diane White, Redwood City, CA 94063-1655 Chief Business Official From Grand Jury Summary: Olivia Mandlik, Dir. Of Student Services “The Grand Jury recommends that all school districts in San Mateo County review the following recommendations and comply as soon as possible. Jim Bowlby Dir. Of Technology 1. At the beginning of each school year each district or school should review its emergency plans and update training of personnel. Kathryn Tinio, 2. Each school site housing children should have emergency Human Resources communication equipment that will operate independently of the land-line or cellular phone systems to guarantee reliable Ahmad Sheikholeslami communication with police and fire departments. Facility Program Manager 3. Each district should inform parents, in writing, that telephone communications might not be possible in an emergency and should spell out how their school will provide for children in the event of a major Dennis Hatfield Supervisor Maintenance, disaster.” Transportation, Operations The Menlo Park City School District agrees with the finding of the 2005-06 Grand Jury regarding Disaster Preparedness in San Mateo County Public School Districts. A District administrator has been assigned to and is currently in the process of reviewing the District’s emergency plan and updating it as appropriate for the 2006-07 school year. 1. Annually, by October 17, the following District Emergency Preparedness Plan forms are completed by each school in the District and submitted to the District Safety Coordinator and the School-site PTO Emergency Preparedness representative: (cid:131) Principals’ Checklist (cid:131) Drill Schedule (cid:131) Site Hazard Survey (cid:131) Staff Emergency Team Roster (cid:131) Site Evacuation Map 2. All parents are notified in writing at the beginning of the school year that the District will attempt to contact radio or television stations to convey District information if communications to the outside are not disrupted. 3. At the beginning of each school year, parents receive information in writing regarding the specifics of each school’s emergency plan. Respectfully, Kenneth J. Ranella Superintendent Millbrae School District 555 Richmond Drive, Millbrae, CA 94030 650-697-5693 ● 650-697-6865 (fax) ● http://www.smcoe.k12.ca.us/msd/do/ KAREN K. PHILIP NANCY PALMER SHARON DEBIAGIO TRACEY WALSH Superintendent Chief Business Official Director of Curriculum Director of Special Services August 28, 2006 Hon. Stephen M. Hall Judge of the Superior Court Hall of Justice 400 County Center, 2nd Floor Redwood City, CA 94063-1655 Dear Judge Hall: The Millbrae School District has received the Grand Jury report entitled “Disaster Preparedness in San Mateo County Public School Districts.” Disaster Preparedness and Training is a high priority in the Millbrae School District. Please note that for all Grand Jury recommendations, the Millbrae School District agrees, and currently meets or exceeds implementation for all recommendations. Sincerely, Karen K. Philip Superintendent ar BOARD OF TRUSTEES JOHN P. DARRO MARJORY LUXENBERG JOHN J. LYNCH ROBERT N. MILLER CAROLINE SHEA An Equal Opportunity Employer PPPPaaaacccciiiiffffiiiiccccaaaa SSSScccchhhhoooooooollll DDDDiiiissssttttrrrriiiicccctttt Board of Trustees Avram Frankel, P.E Betsy Massie 375 Reina Del Mar Avenue j Pacifica, California 94044 Connie Menefee (650) 738-6600 j (650) 557-9672 (fax) Michael O’Neill Joan Weideman Academic Excellence (cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1) Standards for Success District Administration James Lianides www.pacificasd.org Superintendent Susan Vickrey Assistant Superintendent Josephine Peterson Chief Business Official October 2, 2006 Honorable Stephen M. Hall Judge of the Superior Court Hall of Justice 400 County Center, 2nd Floor Redwood City, CA 94063-1655 Re: Disaster Preparedness in San Mateo County Public School Districts Dear Judge Hall: On behalf of the Pacifica School District, Board of Trustees, we submit the following response to the 2005-06 Grand Jury report of July 19, 2006 which contains findings and recommendations pertaining to the Pacifica School District. The Pacifica School District agrees with the findings. Actions for recommendations are as follows:

R2

Each school site housing children should have emergency communication equipment that will operate independently of the land-line or cellular phone systems to guarantee reliable communication with police and fire departments. Response: The District has had a variety of wireless communication devices over the years and is currently looking into additional systems which will guarantee communication with police and fire in the event of an emergency. The District also maintains a telephone communication system which is normally used to notify parents of attendance issues and special events. This communication system is web-based and could be operated from an external site even though district systems may be unable to be accessed. The Honorable Stephen M. Hall September 11, 2006

R7

What are the provisions for communication with parents or guardians and subsequent release of students if an emergency occurs during school hours? (describe briefly)

R8

Do students understand the expectations of the plan, specifically those relating to being released from school? What differences are there for high school, middle school, or elementary schools? Are there any preparations unique to your district which you would like to have shared with other schools and districts? 24

R1

The recommendation was implemented (already in place). District reviews Emergency Plan in the Fall and Spring as staff prepares for the annual emergency drill. 2. The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. Specifically, the geography of Pacifica includes natural obstacles to communication equipment that will operate independently of land-line or cellular phone systems. For example, Ortega and Sunset Ridge schools are located among the hills of Pacifica. The District has explored alternatives to walkie-talkies. It is developing its fiber system and ways to maintain it for several hours through batteries and generators. Sites within the District will be able to e-mail emergency information. The District has met with the North Coast County Water District, Pacifica Police Department and Pacifica Fire Department to discuss ways to integrate communication systems. After a major disaster, schools will become an emergency center for the community. Pacifica School District Response to Grand Jury Report July 19, 2006 It is the recommendation of the Pacifica School District Board of Trustees to alert the Grand Jury that the District has specific, geographical issues in Pacifica that the District is working to overcome before it can implement the Grand Jury’s recommendation. Additionally, the Pacifica School District recommends that the Grand Jury seek Homeland Security funding for an integrated communications system among the District Office and school sites, which in the event of a major disaster, will serve as shelters for the community. 3. The recommendation was implemented. Each principal informed parents in writing through site newsletters this Fall. If you have any questions regarding the response of the Pacifica School District, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Superintendent at 650.738.6625. Thank you. Sincerely, James Lianides Superintendent JL:sc Cc: Pacifica School District, Board of Trustees Thomas F. Casey III, County Counsel PORTOLA VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT 4575 Alpine Road • Portola Valley, CA 94028 Phone: (650) 851-1777 • Fax: (650) 851-3700 • www.pvsd.net PVSD Anne E. Campbell, Superintendent Board of Trustees Donna Carano Donald Collat Teresa Godfrey Karen Jordan Ray Villareal October 12, 2006 Hon. Stephen M. Hall Judge of the Superior Court Hall of Justice 400 County Center; 2nd Floor Redwood City, CA 94063-1655 Dear Judge Hall, The Portola Valley School District has received and reviewed the Grand Jury Report of July 19, 2006 regarding Disaster Preparedness in San Mateo County Public School Districts. We respond to the Findings and Recommendations of the Grand Jury as follows:

R9

Unique Preparations NA Aircraft HS is No Walkie- Simultane Follow crash/Smo Red Talkies ous SEMS & all g/Wildland Cross within & to telephone of ICS fire/Tidal Evac. emergency to all w/ wave/Wind Facility line & emergenc storm for all administrati y # schools on 25

R10

Among special preparations are the following: o Walkie-talkies to connect to emergency lines o Each classroom equipped with an emergency backpack containing basic first aid supplies and emergency contact and release information for each child in the class o Students bringing their own disaster kits with boxed drinks, granola bars, and other snacks to be stored at the school o Availability of a book of student photographs for emergency personnel to use District Response The San Mateo Union High School District agrees with this finding. The recommendation has been implemented. • The District uses a two-channel walkie-talkie to communicate with the school sites • District classrooms have access to the necessary basic first aid supplies and emergency contact and release information. Each classroom has an Emergency Bag with basic first aid supplies and tools • The District provides site-stored water and food to students • The District provides site books of student photographs for emergency personnel to use • Each site and the EOC has detailed maps of Water, Electrical, and Gas lines Recommendations Grand Jury Recommendations