Evaluating the potential for emergencies or threats allows our safety division to develop prevention strategies and response protocols for many scenarios. These include severe weather, fire, accidents or intruders.

Barstow safety personnel meet regularly to assess and address these possibilities and to develop mitigation procedures suitable for a wide variety of situations. They monitor the building with cameras, observation and other security features that prepare them for rapid response when necessary.

Tactical response planning supports quick action in multiple scenarios and reinforces strategies that minimize risk to students, faculty and staff and visitors. 

In the event of an emergency that requires moving people to other locations on campus or issuing a shelter-in-place directive, our safety team is trained to immediately deploy resources and respond to calls for assistance. 

Faculty and staff also receive response training, and every classroom has an emergency manual with safety instructions and evacuation maps.

Barstow safety personnel are prepared to respond to and defend against any emergency, including those with the potential for violence or physical harm, which may occur on our campuses. 

In any emergency, the first responsibility of our faculty and staff is to ensure the safety of the students in our care. The second responsibility is to communicate with parents, guardians, emergency responders and each other.

Our crisis communication plan includes internal and external components. Internally, our enhanced two-way radio system allows every faculty and staff member to communicate with our safety team and each other immediately. External communications during an emergency will be conducted using our text and phone messaging system, followed by more detailed communication through MyBarstow and email. 

It is crucial for parents and guardians to update emergency contact information at the start of any school year, and any time there is a change.

In the event of an emergency that requires moving students to a second location, parents and guardians will be contacted via text and phone call with instructions on where to meet your child. Reunification locations will vary based on the type of emergency that prompts a school evacuation or closure.

On a regular basis, the Safety Division will conduct drills to address potential crises, including fire, tornado and school-wide shelter-in-place procedures.

During these drills, teachers will respond to signals indicating the type of crisis and lead their students to the appropriate areas of the school.

All emergency drills are designed to prepare students, faculty and staff to respond to any emergency presented on campus. Barstow takes a proactive approach to prevent and deter dangerous situations. The safety of our students, faculty and staff are at the forefront of crisis planning. An outline of the crisis plan with procedures is provided in each classroom.

Building entrances are secure during school hours, with limited exceptions for evening and weekend events. Students, parents and visitors must enter through the main lobby at all other times. Use  the foyer intercom to be admitted to the building when doors are secured. Visitors must check in at the front desk and wear a temporary ID badge in the building. Faculty and staff may enter during these hours using their security card. Doors have been upgraded with impact-resistant glass and other safety features.

Emergencies, including severe weather, fires, and water or power outages, may disrupt normal operations at Barstow. In the event of a closure, The School will post emergency messages on the website homepage. The School will also utilize its telephone message system to notify families of schedule changes.