School Safety

Gerber Elementary School has in place a comprehensive School Safety Plan to serve as a school guide for
handling critical incidents such as fire, earthquakes, hazardous materials, or other disasters as well as
emergencies such as alerts for child abuse, hostage situations, a lost child incident, a shooting situation, bomb
threats, and suicide. Parents may view the School Safety Plan, which is available in the school office.
The School Safety Plan, updated in September, 2009, examines the issue of safety in our school and
recommends strategies and actions for adoption by the Safe School Team. This includes information on specific
safe school aspects, such as the school's physical environment and climate. The plan identifies designated
members of the Crisis Response Team (CRT) and their specific jobs and responsibilities in case of an emergency
situation. Students take part in regularly scheduled code red, fire, and earthquake drills. All staff members have
been issued identification badges, and visitors must sign in at the office and wear visitor badges for proper
identification.

District Nurse: The Gerber Union Elementary School District nurse is on site on a weekly basis. However, a nurse
is available to assist if the need arises. The nurse gives State-mandated dental, vision, and hearing tests, and the
nurse notifies parents if a concern about a student's health arises.

First Aid & Emergency Forms: First aid, defined as the immediate, temporary care given in case of accident or
sudden illness, will be given when necessary. First aid will be rendered by anyone qualified to do so. In case of
an accident requiring the services of a doctor, every attempt is made to contact the parent or guardian before the
child is taken to the hospital. Emergency treatment cannot be administered unless a signed form is on file. For
this reason, parents should inform the school immediately of any changes in address or telephone numbers.
Emergency information is communicated to emergency personnel.

Administration of Medication Policy: To conform with the California Education Code #49423, the Gerber Union
Elementary School District has adopted the following policy: any pupil who is required to take, during the regular
school day, medication prescribed for him/her by a physician, may be assisted by the school nurse or other
designated school personnel if the school district has received (1) a written statement from such physician
detailing the method, amount, and time schedule by which medication is to be taken and (2) a written statement
from the parent or guardian of the pupil indicating the desire that the school district assist the pupil in the matter
set forth in the physicians statement. Only medications prescribed by a physician, accompanied by parent or
guardian's signed Request for Medication form will be administered. The medication must be brought to the
Office Clerk in the original container. If the child needs over-the-counter medication, inhalants, etc., the child must
follow the same procedure as for prescribed medication. Students are not allowed to carry prescription or
non-prescription medications on their person or on the school grounds during school hours.