Your children’s safety is our primary concern! Although no device or plan can guarantee absolute safety, I am proud of the systematic and thoughtful Emergency Response Plan that SJA has devised regarding unplanned events (i.e. storms to intruders). Despite the tragic events in Lancaster, PA and other school-associated violence, schools are statistically, consistently very safe places. The probability of violence in a school is one in one million, according to the National Association of School Psychologists. 

Planning for the possibility of a natural and/or man-made emergency in our community, however, is appropriate. A user-friendly copy of the SJA Emergency Response Plan is posted in every classroom in the building. You are most welcome to review that abbreviated copy and/or spend some time in the SJA office to review our full administrative document. The Emergency Management Team at SJA consists of the Rector, Head, Assistant Head, Dean of Students, School Counselor, Business Manager, School Nurse, Facility Manager, and Administrative Assistant who meet regularly to formally review and update our procedures using the recommendations of NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) and then subject our plan to review by community first responders and a MD Emergency Response Advisor to the Governor. The plan is formulated into four phases across multiple possible emergencies: 

• Prevention/Mitigation;
• Preparedness;
• Response; and
• Recovery.

Students and their teachers regularly practice the plan. As recently as last Monday morning at 9:30 a.m., we had a “Chubbs alert” locking down the school in less than one minute! The following specifics may also be helpful and reassuring: 

• There is limited access to our school building. All visitors/volunteers are invited to sign-in in the office. Vendors wear badges. All adults in this community are also invited to be observant and meet, greet, introduce, and guide those that they meet in the hallways and/or report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, nervous, or frightened.
• On primary and general election days when our school is open to the greater community, we may remain open with the added security of sextons and/or administrative staff with walkie-talkies stationed at lobby entrances.
• Duty teachers and administrators monitor morning and afternoon carpools for safety. Students are aware that they must remain on the porches until they depart with their designated adults. Adults must retrieve students from porches.

The Emergency Management Team strives to faithfully achieve a balance between building security and providing students, teachers, and parents with a healthy, nurturing, normal school environment. We respect and trust one another while students feel connected, understand expectations, and receive the behavioral and mental health support that they need to face the challenges of the 21^st Century. We believe that devising and periodically reviewing a dynamic plan at school (and in our homes) is a responsible response and provides an informed sense of reassurance and comfort. Your constructive input is welcomed and will be carefully considered!