The Garwood Public Schools and the Garwood PTA have implemented a new electronic communication system called Honeywell Instant Alert® for Schools.  (Do not call police/school officials/teachers)

The Garwood Honeywell Instant Alert System is primary method of notification for school closings.  The PTA telephone chain will no longer be used.

Within minutes of an emergency, we can use Instant Alert to deliver a single, clear message to contact devices such as a telephone, cell phone, e-mail, text message, pager or PDA in any combination. This system will notify you of important events such as school closings, delayed openings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather,

Instant Alert is Internet based, allowing each family to maintain a secure, password protected online profile. You can log into your profile at any time to update your contact information, and you do not need an email address to register or use the system. Maintaining the accuracy of your profile will increase the ability of the school to keep you informed.

Your online profile will enable you to:

1. Input and update your personal contact information.

2. Add contact information for other caretakers, such as an aunt, grandparent or neighbor.

3. Select the types of school information you would like to receive on each of your contact devices. For example, checking the "High Importance" alert box ensures that urgent messages regarding school closings, delayed openings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather will be sent to that device. Checking the "School Information" check box is for routine messages regarding school dances, plays, G&T night, Red Ribbon Week, etc.

4. View the alerts that have been sent to you in the past.

If you have not yet registered on the Instant Alert website click on the links below for directions and the website:

Honeywell Instant Alert Brochure Info

Directions for Garwood Honeywell Instant Alert System

Click here to register with the Honeywell Instant Alert System website

You can also call the hotline at 908-789-0331, ext. 1445.

Parents/guardians should establish an emergency plan with their child.

Children not dismissed in this manner will remain in school/other designated area with adult supervision until the regular dismissal time.

 

EMERGENCY SCHOOL EVACUATION PROCEDURES 

TO: Parents/Guardians of Preschool-Grade 8 Students

FROM: Dr. Quigley, Superintendent

RE: Emergency Procedures for Garwood Public School District

DATE: September 14, 2012

The Garwood Board of Education’s Crisis Response Plan is designed as a regulation to Board of Education Policy No. 6114, which is intended to minimize danger should an emergency occur in or near the school. Our main objective is to attend to the health and welfare of your children in the event of a crisis.

In most emergencies, your children will remain and be cared for at the school they attend. In the rare event of an emergency that prohibits reentry to a school building (such as a broken gas or water main, a fire, or a toxic spill) students will be walked to the following shelter area:

SHELTER FOR LINCOLN SCHOOL:

The Westwood

438 North Avenue

OR

St. Anne’s Catholic Church

325 Second Avenue

We ask that you follow this procedure if you hear of any school emergency:

• PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

We have limited phone lines. These MUST be used to respond to an emergency. If the emergency necessitates relocation of students and staff, you will be informed via the

• Honeywell Instant Alert System.

• PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SCHOOL UNLESS YOU ARE REQUESTED TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD.

Any emergency involving your child’s school may mean emergency vehicles and workers must be able to get to the building.

• ACCESS THE SCHOOL CLOSING/DELAYED OPENING HOTLINE.

Call 789-0331 and press 1445 for information.

• TURN ON YOUR RADIO TO STATION 101.5 FM.

We will keep NJ Network informed of any major emergency.

PLEASE KEEP THIS INFORMATION IN AN ACCESSIBLE LOCATION.

Each school year the Garwood Public Schools conducts emergency drills. Students will be directed by their teachers to take positions in secured sections of their classrooms during a "lock-down" drill. Classroom direction will take place before the day of the actual drill. Additionally, practice building evacuation and school bus evacuation drills will be held. If parents have any questions or concerns, they are encouraged to contact their child’s classroom teacher for further clarification.