Understanding Our School Division's Emergency Management and Communications
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has developed several resources to help students, staff and families understand our division’s emergency management procedures and how we communicate during such events. In emergency or urgent situations, school division leaders and school leadership work closely with the ACPS Department of Facilities and Operations, Office of Safety and Security Services and the Office of Communications, as well as with any outside agencies such as the Alexandria Police Department, the Alexandria Fire Department and others in our region.
Students and staff cover the emergency preparedness guidelines and procedures throughout the school year. The Office of Safety and Security Services encourages families to review the information on emergency guidelines and procedures that is provided on the Emergency Management webpage. This includes a video series—with captions in multiple languages—that explain the terminology and process for situations that include evacuation from school facilities and status changes from normal school operations to “secure the building” and “lockdown,” in response to identified reported internal or external threat risks.
The Office of Communications shares information with families and other stakeholders in a timely manner about emergency or crisis situations. The Emergency Communications webpage provides information about when and how to expect communications from ACPS in specific situations that may involve one or more schools or the division as a whole.
- 2023-24
- Department of Facilities and Operations
- Office of Communications
- Office of Safety and Security Services
- school safety