Emergency Procedures
Threats to School Safety

Shelter in Place

A shelter-in-place response is initiated in “heightened risk” situations when there is a possible environmental danger in the neighbourhood.
“Heightened risk” is defined as an external environmental threat in the area of the school. Examples could include:
  • Chemical spills or gas leak in the neighbourhood
  • The presence of smoke or fire in the vicinity
  • Extreme weather conditions
The incidents require prudent action but do not require the implementation of hold and secure or lockdown procedures.
In most instances, the school will be contacted by Emergency Response Portal (ERP) or other agencies that have jurisdiction over the incident such as Toronto Fire Services. They are responsible for managing the crisis and will recommend that the school initiate a shelter-in-place response.
Procedures:
Daytime (weekdays):
  1. The Executive Team will initiate the following announcement:
    1. Our school is initiating a SHELTER IN PLACE response due to an environmental concern in the neighbourhood. Staff and students are to respond accordingly, i.e., 
      1. All students report to their Home Form for attendance
      2. All faculty and staff should notify their managers/supervisors of their whereabouts
      3. Adults should remain calm and reassure their students that the situation is under control. Students should be aware that the shelter-in-place response may be in effect for an extensive period of time.
      4. Please remember that all communications should be directed to MarComm, and only MarComm should initiate all external communications
Evenings/Weekends/Holidays:
  1. The Executive Team will notify Facilities (416-999-1211)
  2. Facilities will notify all occupants (i.e., renters, students, staff, etc.) in the school that a shelter-in-place response has been initiated
Securing the school building
  1. Ensure that air exchange systems (fans, exhausts, and air conditioners, etc.) are turned off when applicable.
  2. Anyone outside school buildings should proceed indoors promptly (not in the field house).
  3. All exterior doors are secured. All students will be prohibited from leaving the property and staff and faculty will be encouraged to do the same.
  4. Shelter-in-place signs will be posted on the interior side of all exterior doors. 
  5. Recorded Telephone Message – A pre-recorded phone message announcing the school shelter-in-place procedure will be activated.
Securing persons
  1. Attendance should be taken in each room, noting those who are absent. 
  2. Anyone outside school buildings should proceed indoors promptly (not in the Field House).
  3. All exterior doors are secured. All students will be prohibited from leaving the property and staff and faculty will be encouraged to do the same.
  4. Shelter-in-place signs will be posted on the interior side of all exterior doors.
  5. Normal operations may continue inside the school, however, all outdoor activities are cancelled.
Lifting the shelter-in-place response
  1. When the Executive Team receives information from the Emergency Response Portal (ERP), or other agencies that have jurisdiction over the incident such as Toronto Fire Services, that the shelter-in-place response may be lifted (i.e., the danger has passed), these procedures should be followed:
    1. Make a PA announcement stating “The shelter-in-place response has been lifted.”
    2. Normal operations resume.
School Buses in Transit
If the bus has already left the school
  1. Notify the staff about the shelter-in-place response
  2. Let them know that they do not return to the school until the shelter-in-place is lifted
  3. If the excursion is completed before dismissal then an alternate pick-up location will be arranged, and parents will be notified
If the bus has not already left the school
  1. All students/staff will remain in the school, and the excursion will be postponed or delayed.
2365 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON M2L 1A2
Ph: 416.449.2556