Safety and Emergency Management

Safety is a top priority for Kilgore ISD, and we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Every Kilgore ISD campus has visitor screening/sign-in procedures; visitors are required to present identification and are run through Raptor a system that provides alerts for registered sex offenders.

A criminal background check is conducted on all Kilgore ISD volunteers and employees.
All employees are required to wear Kilgore ISD photo identification badges.
All campuses have Kilgore Police Department officers present throughout the day, as well as district security officers and first responders available.
All campuses have video surveillance cameras on the interior and exterior of the building.
Kilgore ISD utilizes a emergency notification system to communicate with staff and parents through either emails or phone calls, whichever is most appropriate for the situation at hand.
Kilgore ISD schools have regular safety drills throughout the school year involving both students and staff.
The district has a Crisis Management Plan that is evaluated and updated regularly.
Kilgore ISD consults regularly with local law enforcement and first responders about school safety.
Every year the district does security audits throughout the district.

Kilgore ISD Safety Committee

Standard Reunification

Emergency Student Pick-Up Procedures

Standard Reunification Method

Student/Parent Reunification

Circumstances may occur at a Kilgore ISD campus that require parents to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release. We refer to this process as a “Reunification”. Some reasons for this process could be fire, a power outage, a gas leak, or if a crisis occurs at the school.

The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved. Because a reunification is not a typical end of school day, a reunification may occur at a different location than the campus a student attends. If this location is another campus, then those students may be subject to a controlled release as well.

Notification

Kilgore ISD will use school messenger, our website, or direct phone calls to contact parents or guardians. In some cases, students will send a text message. A reunification text message from a student may look something like this: “The school has closed, please pick me up at 3:25 at the main entrance. Bring your ID. “

Parent/guardian expectations

If a reunification is necessary, the most critical expectation is identification. Each parent or guardian must show a picture ID when they check-in, before we release their student. Reunification is a process that protects the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian.

Reunification cards

Parents will be required to complete a “Reunification Card” upon arrival. This card, along with a photo ID verify custody and protect the safety of the student. Information is repeated on the reunification card please ensure all information is complete. Parents or guardians with multiple students will complete a card for each student.

The Normal Reunification Process

Reunification is a multiple step process; we ask that you permit our staff to guide you through each step.

1. Arrival and Parking: There will be a lot of traffic and vehicles, please watch for a law enforcement officer or district staff member to direct you.

2. Greeting Area: As you walk up to the building a staff member will greet you and hand you a “Reunification Card”, it will be helpful if you bring a pen with you. You will go to the check-in table once you complete the card.

3. Check-In Area: This is where we need your identification. A staff member will verify your information on a roster to ensure you are authorized to pick up the student. It is important to ensure all information in Skyward is accurate now, before we experience an event requiring a reunification.

4. Parent Staging Area: You will move to the parent staging area as a runner goes to retrieve your student. It may take several minutes for this process, please be patient with us.

5. Reunification: We will call your name to come forward when your student arrives. Before we release your student they will be asked if they feel safe going home with you. Please do not be offended by this question, it is an important part of the process.

Changes to the Reunification Process

Emergencies are never predictable and though we train and have processes, things do not always go as planned. Sometimes situations occur that cause a change in the reunification process. These changes depend on the type and significance of the emergency. Our district will work to communicate changes or special circumstances as quickly as possible throughout the process. Our goal in every circumstance is to reunify your student with you quickly and safely.