Safety Resources
CFBISD constantly seeks to provide a circle of protection that generates safety and security in all schools and facilities. Controlled access to buildings, a revamped volunteer registration program, crisis communication, employees and first responders are all essential to that cause.
- In an emergency parent guide
- Inclement Weather Protocols
- Bullying
- Transportation Safety Reminders
- Walking Safety Tips
In an emergency parent guide
Parent Responsibilities During a School Emergency and Reunification After a School Emergency
In a school emergency, the first instinct as a parent is to pick up the telephone and start calling the school or to rush up to the school and get your child/children. The truth is, this only complicates matters from a safety and security standpoint.
Parents too close to an incident often hinder the rescue attempts of first responders on the scene. The best action parents can take in an emergency is to stay close to their phone/email and to monitor the district website for regular updates.
How Can You Help?
Ensure that your child’s emergency contact information is accurate and current. The district primarily uses ParentSquare for immediate emergency notifications to parents. The district may also use the district website, phone calls and social media to notify parents. Become familiar with your school’s emergency communication procedures. Each school is committed to providing accurate and timely information in the event of an emergency
In Case of a School Emergency
Although your first reaction might be to call or rush to your child’s school, please follow the tips listed below:
- DO monitor the district website and your phone for ParentSquare alerts.
- DO trust only official communication from school or public safety officials.
- DO monitor for information regarding reunification with your child.
- DO NOT rush to your child’s school. Your presence could interfere with emergency responders.
- DO NOT call your child or school. Staff and students are discouraged from using cell phones until they are safe.
A school crisis can take on a number of forms including an environmental event, such as a chemical spill or gas leak; a weather emergency, such as a tornado warning; or an intruder in or near the school. The nature of a school crisis dictates whether school officials will put in place a secure, lockdown, shelter, evacuation or any combination of these protocols, as a means to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.
Safety Terms & Procedures
Inclement Weather Protocols
Weather can be unpredictable and bring conditions that may impact our community and subsequently bring changes to the instructional day at Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD campuses.
As inclement weather is predicated and approaches, the District will follow its Inclement Weather Protocols to determine if an adjustment to the instructional day is necessary to ensure student, staff and community safety.
How is the decision made?
The decision to postpone or cancel classes due to inclement weather is based on analysis of all available information at the time the critical decision to delay or close schools must be made.
CFBISD Inclement Weather Procedures
- Consultations with local emergency management, law enforcement, and weather experts. In addition to monitoring local weather forecasts, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD (CFBISD) participates in ongoing emergency management conference calls with city and county officials. Because the district is split between multiple municipalities, CFBISD monitors all such expert reporting.
- Information on road and sidewalk conditions from transportation operations staff. CFBISD transportation staff serves as the internal experts on area roads. Eyewitness reports from staff provide an invaluable addition to regional emergency management reports.
- Weather related disruption to facilities. CFBISD will evaluate any disruption to facilities that might prove hazardous, such as electrical, heat and water services.
- Current and projected weather conditions. Because students and staff walk, bike and ride in cars to school beginning as early as 5 a.m., CFBISD evaluates current and predicted weather conditions after consulting with regional experts. Reports of accumulated, projected and clearing of road hazards are taken into consideration in the early morning hours.
- Consideration of neighboring school district and university decisions. Collaboration with neighboring districts will occur to gain a better understanding of how the area is affected by inclement weather conditions. While each district is unique, this partnership allows all districts to have a more complete understanding of weather conditions.
Who makes the decision?
Timeline & Public Notification
3:00 a.m. – 3:30 a.m. Monitor temperature and precipitation levels to project threat to roads, driveways and sidewalks. Information will then be analyzed and shared in conference calls.
5:30 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. Parent/Community notification launched. The District uses the following methods of communication to relay urgent information to families and the broader community:
Bullying
CFBISD takes a very proactive stance with regard to preventing and educating students, teachers and administrators on the topic of bullying. CFBISD has established a repertoire of preventive and proactive resources regarding bullying in schools. These resources are available and accessible to teachers, administrators and students, when needed.
If you would like to anonymously report an incident of bullying, or any other incident, please visit our Anonymous Alerts page.
Transportation Safety Reminders
It is up to all motorists to keep our students safe. To do this, we all need to obey traffic laws and observe safety rules. It is important that drivers are alert near school dismissal times and understand how to drive safely during this time. Drivers can expect heavy bus traffic and children crossing the street near school dismissal times.
Please share this information with every driver in your family.
School Zones
The speed in a school zone is 20 mph. School zones have a reduced speed limit so that drivers can stop if a child runs in front of their vehicle. You could be subject to a large fine if you speed in a school zone.
Crosswalks and crossing guards
You should not block the crosswalk at any time with your vehicle. Be observant of children crossing the street when approaching an intersection.
Walking Safety Tips
Here are some tips to help students walk safely to and from school provided by the National Center for Safe Routes to School.
Walk together
- Younger children should always walk with an adult.
- For older students, walk with a friend or two whenever possible.
- Pick a safe route to school that parents have approved. Avoid dangerous intersections.
- Stick to the route, even if friends want to take a shortcut.
Cross the street safely
- Watch out for cars and trucks at every driveway and intersection. Look for drivers in parked cars. They may be getting ready to move.
- Always wear bright-colored clothes, and if it is dark or hard to see, carry flashlights or wear reflective gear.
- When near the street, don’t push, shove, or chase.
- Obey traffic signs, signals and crossing guards.
Avoid strangers
- Avoid clothing or gear that has student’s name visibly displayed so that strangers can’t use that information to approach or engage children in conversation.
- Never leave school with a stranger, hitchhike or take rides not previously arranged by parents.
- If strangers offer a ride, say NO. Stay away from unknown cars and people.
- If someone follows in a car or on foot, get away as quickly as possible, run in the other direction, and yell for help.
- Encourage children to report suspicious behavior or strangers on campus, a public restroom or playground to a campus administrator or to another trusted adult.
- For students who arrive home alone, remind them to lock doors, to call a parent to check-in, and to never open the door for a stranger. Students should not share with others that they are home alone after school.