Preparing for an Emergency

Under what circumstances would schools be closed?

Schools will be open unless there is a clear and specific local threat to safety. The information we have received indicates that the Federal Government’s Homeland Security Advisory System will go to the highest level – red – only when and where there is such a specific local threat.

If a red alert is issued for this community or region, we will do the following:

• If the red alert is issued at night, early in the morning or on a weekend, and we have time to give parents adequate notification, schools will be closed as they are during severe weather conditions. You should not send your child to school in this situation.
• If a red alert is issued during the school day, Federal Way Public Schools will keep students at school through at least the remainder of the school day.
• Depending on the nature of the threat, we may dismiss students at the normal time and run transportation as usual. If that’s not possible or advisable, staff will remain at school with the students until each student has been picked up by an approved adult.