Dear Parents and Guardians,

At Pleasant View Elementary, the safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. To ensure that all students and staff are prepared for emergencies we conduct various safety drills each year. The drills are designed to familiarize students with the procedures they need to follow in various emergency situations. 

The following drills and procedures are mandated by the Rhode Island Department of Education and are followed by the Smithfield Public Schools:

1. Fire Drills: Students will practice monthly fire drills. They will practice evacuating the building quickly and safely in the event of a fire. Students will move to a location outside of the building. 

2. Lockdown Drills: In the event of an intruder or other immediate danger, students and staff will practice securing themselves in classrooms.

3. Evacuation Drills: In the event that there is an immediate danger in the school building, the students and staff will relocate to a different location for safety. 

4. Shelter in Place: In the event that there is a restriction or emergency in a location at the school, students and staff will refrain from moving around the building during this time. During this time, regular instruction continues. Shelter in Place procedures may occur if there is a medical emergency in the school to keep the hallways clear. 

These drills are essential to keeping your children safe. All school district personnel are trained on our safety protocols. We understand that some students may find these drills unsettling, so our teachers and staff explain the purpose of each drill and practice them. Our goal is to ensure our students and staff know what to do in an emergency and remain safe.

In addition to safety drills,  Pleasant View Elementary and the Smithfield Public Schools have protocols and procedures to ensure school safety. A district safety committee includes all district administrators and building principals, Smithfield Police and Fire Department personnel, the Emergency Management Administrator, and the town’s building inspector. This committee meets regularly to review our plans and procedures and to make modifications when necessary. All protocols that SPS follows are required by the state and approved annually by our School Committee. 

If you have questions about the safety drills and our school procedures, please do not hesitate to contact me at  (401)-949-2058.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Terry A. Viera