by Randy Gebhardt, Executive Director of Engagement & Communication and Mike Overbey, Chief People Officer
West Clermont Schools
As we’ve shared with you in recent weeks, West Clermont is committed to keeping safety and well-being at the forefront of our work. Arguably the most important piece to maintaining safety on a campus such as ours is strong communication; across all levels of the organization, with local law enforcement and first responders, and with you, our families, and community.
In the vein of communicating across our organization, our District Leadership Team conducted its annual meeting in early August to review district processes. Topics discussed during this annual meeting include but are not limited to: visitor management systems, cybersafety, threat assessment, operational safety procedures, roles of the cabinet, and crisis communication. In 2022-23 all buildings received a refresher in ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) training conducted by certified trainers from the Union Township Police Department, Pierce Township Police Department, and the Clermont County Sheriff’s Department. Building administrators will also review other safety information during their building level staff meetings as they do at the beginning of each school year.
How, when, and with whom we communicate during a crisis is a very important aspect of our planning and drills. If there is a crisis, our promise to our families is that we will communicate with you as quickly as possible while focusing first on the safety of our students and staff. Here is how you can help us resolve a crisis:
DON’T
- Call the school. Phone lines may be needed for emergency communication.
- Go to the school. This can restrict first responders’ ability to access the building, and in some situations, students may be relocated to another place.
- Share information you don't know to be true on social media. It is critical that we focus on the safety issue at hand without fighting misinformation.
DO
- Make sure your contact information is up to date in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. We will use this information to communicate updates via text, phone, and/or email as often as possible.
As in past years, we will communicate via phone, email, or text as soon as possible. Please know that all situations have mitigating circumstances that may change our communication strategy. Again, we promise to communicate as transparently and as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience and understanding in the event of a safety situation.
For key definitions related to a safety event and the communication process associated with each, see our Safety Guide on our Safety and Security webpage.
