SUNFLOWER COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Robert L. Merritt Junior High School

School Safety Plan 2015 – 2016

Martha Jackson, Principal

Tommy Molden, Assistant Principal

ROBERT MERRITT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

705 Kinlock Road

Indianola, MS 38751

The Indianola School District has a School Safety Plan that has been adopted and approved by

the School Board for the entire district. Robert Merritt Junior High School Safety Plan does not

replace nor overrule the District’s Safety Plan. Merritt’s plan is to only afford additional safety

to the student body, faculty, staff, and parents of the school.

VISION STATEMENT

Robert Merritt Middle School vision is to provide a safe, secure, and dynamic learning

environment where every student will have an opportunity to experience success each and every

day.

SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The Robert L. Merritt Junior High School Safety Committee members will consist of the following

members:

Martha Jackson, Principal

Tommy Molden, Assistant Principal

Sandra Gray, Secretary

Sherby Hale, Counselor

Harvey Crosby, Physical Education Teacher

Derrick Farrow, Physical Education Teacher

Morris Bush, 9th Grade

Stacie Mackey , SPED Teacher

Leola Gilson Wright, Technology Teacher

Jessica James, Librarian

Willie Gilliam, Custodian

Sherkirta Stovall, Cafeteria Manager

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR SCHOOL SAFETY COMMITTEE

MEMBERS

Name Cell Home

Martha Jackson

552-207-9329 662-931-3161

Tommy Molden

662-207-4813 228-627-1270

Sherby Hale

601-672-3895

662-887-4597

Sandra Gray

662-207-5223

Shelia Armstrong

662-207-0960

Chief Eugene Snipes

662-887-1313

Mrs. Melinda Tripplett

662-207-6518

662-246-0033

Harvey Crosby

662-457-2070

Officer Edrick Hall

662-207-1210

662-207-5526

Derrick Farrow

662-207-4875

Stacie Mackey

662-207-9425

Leola Gilson Wright

662-207-3883

Vanessa Keys

662-207-7933

Kenyon Butler

662-207-3604

Jessica James

662-303-7006

Linda Jones-Williams

662-303-7840

Rachel Brown

662-303-0491

Willie Gilliam

662-207-9773

Shakitre Stovall

662-207-8109

EMERGENCY CALLING TREE In the event the Indianola School District must close due to inclement weather or any other

emergency, the following procedures will be followed to inform school employees:

EMPLOYEE WILL CALL TELEPHONE NUMBER

Ms. Martha Jackson

662-207-9329

Mr. Tommy Molden

Ms. Sherby Hale

Mrs. Sandra Gray

Mrs. Sheila Armstrong

Mr. Willie Gilliam

Mrs. Linda Jones-Williams

Ms. Tonya Carter

Ms. Felicia McKinney

228-627-1270

662-887-4597 or 601-672-3895

662-207-5223

662-207-0960

662-303-0397 or 662-207-9773

662-303-7840

662-820-8191

662-303-8172

Mr. Tommy Molden

228-627-1270

Ms. Grenell Bounds

Ms. Sonja Jones

Ms. Vanessa Keys

803-629-3799

662-207-1287

662-887-5534 or 662-207-7933

EMPLOYEE WILL CALL TELEPHONE NUMBER

Mr. Derrick Farrow

662-616-5149

Ms. Nafatic Butler

Mr. Carl Lott

Mr. Harvey Crosby

Mrs. Leola Gilson – Wright

Mr. Kenyon Butler

Mrs. Patricia Williams

Mr. Morris Bush

662-616-1743

662-897-6021

662-719-5444

662-207-3883

662-207-3604

662-207-3911

662-207-5807

Ms. Sherby Hale

662-887-4597 or 601-672-3895

Mrs. Rachel Minor – Brown

Mrs. Jessica James

Mrs. Rosie Gatlin

Mr. Kiran Kumar Katta

662-537-1093

662-392-1248

662-207-4026

662-830-290-7338

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AND LOCATION

Emergency supplies and first aid supplies are necessary when a disaster of any nature occurs.

Supplies are housed in a storage area in the main office. The following lists contain items that

may be useful during a crisis of varying types.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Candles Matches Flashlights Batteries Cell phone- to be

used outside the

school area

Emergency

Radio

Blankets Bottled Water Paper Towels Wet Wipes

FIRST AID MATERIALS

Tylenol Tweezers Slings Assorted Band

Aids

Bandages

Gauze Instant Ice Packs Antibacterial

Salve

Sterile Water

( for burns)

Ace Bandages

Tape Package of Sewing

Needles

Disposable

Latex

Gloves

Scissors Steri-strips or

Butterfly Stitches

PREVENTION AND CURRICULUM

STUDENT, FACULTY, AND STAFF RECORDS:

Information on file is accurate, accessible on computer, current, updated at regular intervals, and

specified on the school calendar. Student/Faculty/Staff Records are complete with life-

threatening medical facts such as the following:

Allergies

Ongoing or chronic medical conditions

Medications

There is a current photo of each student in the school office.

Individual student transportation (to and from school either car riders or bus

numbers) is on the school computer and in the permanent record file.

Records clearly identify persons authorized to pick up the student in the absence

of parent/guardian. Copies of court orders relevant to the children are on file in

the school office.

Procedures require that records and identification be checked prior to release of

student to any person (e.g., check photo identification upon check-out).

If computerized records are unavailable, records are alphabetized by grade level

so that information can be located quickly.

Staff/faculty records meet the same qualifications noted for student records.

Back-up copies of student/staff records are kept at an alternate site off campus.

ALCOHOL, DRUG, AND VIOLENCE PROGRAMS:

Alcohol/drug/violence prevention programs are integrated into subject areas. A “zero tolerance”

policy is in place. Rules are enforced consistently. Opportunities are available for support

groups as needed for students/staff.

Visitor Access Control:

All exterior doors are monitored with a camera system.

Procedures for visitor identification are in place. All visitors enter the front doors to the

building beside the office area. Visitors are immediately recognized and they are given a

visitor’s badge to wear. Badges are clearly identifiable, commercially made, and cannot

be duplicated. Visitors are not allowed to proceed to classes unless they have received

prior approval from the office/principal.

To obtain a visitor’s badge you must leave your State issued identification or leave your

vehicle keys in the main office. They will be returned upon returning the visitor’s badge.

Procedures for school visitation are covered in the school handbook and in the teacher

handbook. Signs are posted on all doors indicating the procedure that visitors must

follow upon entering the building.

The visitor procedure is consistently and efficiently implemented. Parents, students,

faculty, and staff are notified immediately if change in procedure takes place.

Faculty and staff are alert to identified and non-identified visitors. Faculty and staff

follow a procedure in place for identifying strangers or unidentified visitors in the

building or on school ground.

If disruption is anticipated, visitors are escorted out and away from the building and the

local police department and /or school resource officer are notified.

COMMUNICATIONS:

The existing intercom system permits communication to all rooms inside the school

building.

Fire/severe weather alarm procedures are in place and cover all buildings and school

areas. Procedures and diagrams are posted in all locations of the school.

Alarms can be heard in all areas of the campus. A Weather Tone Alert radio linked to the

local Emergency Management Area is in the office and lunchroom. It has a built-in

battery backup and is capable of transmitting warnings to our school at all times.

There is a back-up procedure for alarms due to power failure. Electronic alarms use a

battery backup if power failure occurs. If the electronic alarms will not sound, there is a

manual system that can be used.

A private line other than the published school number(s) is available for emergencies and

known only to administrative personnel. A walkie-talkie used only by administrative

county personnel is also available and remains active at all times.

A sufficient number of computers, lap top computers, fax, and e-mail capabilities are

available to serve emergencies. Batteries are kept charged and on hand.

School personnel uses district automated messenger system to send parents advanced

notices when school is to dismiss earlier than normal.

Battery powered bullhorns are available to use inside and outside the building at any

time. Batteries are kept charged and are available at all times.

LOST AND RUNAWAY STUDENTS

If it is suspected that a child is lost or has run away from school, the following procedures will be

followed:

• The teacher should notify the administration immediately of the situation.

• Administration will determine if the student came to school for any part of the day by

checking with the bus driver, through attendance records, and by checking the sign out sheet.

• Office personnel will make an all-call on the intercom for the child while administration is

checking records.

• A designee will be assigned to check all areas of the school such as restrooms, gymnasium,

library, computer labs, etc.

• Security camera film will be used if teacher verifies that the student was on campus.

• An attempt to notify parents or guardians will be made if the child is not found on campus.

• Appropriate law enforcement will be notified of the situation.

• A follow-up conference will be conducted the following day with parents.

• Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken according to due process if necessary.

DISASTER RESPONSE PROCEDURES:

Reference Emergency Procedures District Safety Plan

The site disaster plan has been developed to provide for the safety of students, staff, building,

equipment, and supplies. It includes the organization of staff to meet an emergency, a system

of warning, instruction, and preparation of students, and appropriate drills.

In the event of a major disaster, Merritt Junior High School must provide for the safety and

accountability of students and staff. Each teacher should have a copy of the District Safety

Plan, a red and green laminated card, room identification clipboard used for classroom

identification and class roll, and a laminated copy of the Emergency Procedures posted in the

room.

(1) Fire Drill – In case of a fire or fire drill, the office will do an all call over the intercom.

Office personnel will say “evacuate to safety zone”. In the event of power outage an amplified

device such as a bullhorn will be used. This is your signal to evacuate all buildings on campus.

The fire evacuation signal is not an optional signal. All buildings must be evacuated as quickly

as possible. Make sure to place your Green Card on your door and bring your student roll with

you.

(2) Tornado Drill – If there is a tornado drill, the office will do an all call over the intercom

saying “bad weather”. If there is power outage an amplified device such as a bullhorn will be

used. Teachers are to take action according to the instructions posted in their room.

(3) Bomb Threat – In the event of a bomb threat, the administration will assume the

responsibility for initiating and directing a search and determining the need for evacuation. If an

evacuation is required, evacuation will be stated over the intercom. Teachers will be told the

location to evacuate to. This location will be the safest location away from the bomb threat. As

teachers leave their class they are to place the green card on the door and ensure they have their

class roll with them.

(4) Lockdown – In the event of a civil disturbance which may threaten the safety of students, the

following procedure will be followed: The office will announce “lockdown” over the intercom

system this will indicate the need to lock doors, close windows and blinds, and ensure that all

students stay away from windows. DO NOT OPEN DOOR FOR ANY REASON. If students

are outside their classrooms, staff will direct all students to the nearest room as soon as possible.

Staff members should remain inside the door to allow access to any student or staff left outside

as long as it is safe to do so. Once the door is closed, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR ANY

REASON UNTIL AN ALL CLEAR HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED OVER THE INTERCOM

OR YOUR ARE NOTIFIED BY POLICE OR ADMINISTRATION. If necessary, all

students or staff will be instructed to duck-and-cover under their desks. Make sure your

computer is on and email is running. The administration will attempt to communicate via

email. School Police Services will be notified either by radio or by calling 207-5526.

Announcement over the intercom saying “all clear” will indicate the "all clear". Teachers should

take attendance to assure that all students are accounted for.

(5) Rumor Control - It is of the utmost importance that we convey to all students that we, the

adults, are in control and will protect all students. Remind students that much of what they hear

will be a rumor. The administration will issue an informational bulletin to dispel rumors and to

communicate facts as needed.

EVACUATION LOCATIONS

In the need to evacuate from the school there will be a primary and secondary location to

evacuate. Carver Elementary School located at 404 Jefferson Street, Indianola, MS 38751 is the

primary location. The location is one mile away. Reason(s) to evacuate: chemical spills, bomb

threats, intruder, and other emergencies not listed for the safety of the kids and faculty.

Primary Evacuation Location

Directions to 404 Jefferson Street, Indianola, MS 38751

Directly behind Robert L. Merritt Junior High School

The secondary location for evacuation for students and staff at Robert L. Junior High School is

Gentry High School, which is located at 801 BB King Road in Indianola, MS.

Secondary Evacuation Location

Driving directions to Gentry High School

School’s Location:

Robert L. Merritt Junior High School

705 Kinlock Road

Indianola, Mississippi 38751

1. Head north on Kinlock Rd toward Hayes Dr 0.2 miles

2. Take the 1st right onto Cox St 0.3 miles

3. Turn right onto Garrard Ave 0.1 miles

4. Take the 1st left onto Jefferson St 0.5 miles

5. Turn left onto B. B. King Rd 351 feet

6. Turn right- Destination will be on right 279 feet