Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Ann Arbor Public Schools

Logo Title

AAPS Family Assistance/Reunification Plan

AAPS Family Assistance Plan for Parents/Guardians

 

What is Family Assistance or Reunification?

If an incident occurs at an AAPS school and a decision is made that students should not be on school property, AAPS will initiate the parent/guardian/student family assistance process, which is also referred to as reunification. The family assistance protocol may be used for incidents such as:

  • A power outage
  • An electrical hazard
  • A gas leak
  • An emergency incident or active threat.

 

What is the family assistance plan?

 

AAPS uses the 2-two step evacuation and family assistance/reunification process based on the “I love you guys foundation standard reunification method ''.

  • Each school has a designated evacuation and family assistance site. If an evacuation from a school is activated, students will be taken by staff to a designated site where they will be transported by bus to the family assistance location and met by the AAPS family assistance team.
  • The standard reunification method will be used to unite students with their families at the family assistance site to ensure:
    • Students are accounted for and reunited with their families.
    • Students are fully supported while at the family assistance site by AAPS staff and trained team members.
    • That the family assistance structure, staff support and equipment are in place.
  • There may be an incident where it is unsafe to stay in the school building, but it is still safe to be on the grounds for parent pick-up. In these incidents, AAPS will do an on-site reunification on school property.
  • AAPS does not give out the location of the evacuation and family assistance sites for the safety and security of the students.

 

How will I know if an evacuation and family assistance process has been activated?

Parents will be notified in a number of ways:

  • The school or AAPS district will use Schoolmessenger to broadcast a phone, email and possibly a text to the family contacts listed in Powerschool.
  • We anticipate that students with mobile phones will text parents as well. Please ensure that you follow the directions issued by AAPS. The message will be something like:

 

The school (name) has closed due to an (incident). Please pick up your student at 3:25pm at the (family assistance location). 

Please bring your id.

A valid ID will be required to pick up your student. 

Notification will include:

  • The nature and location of the incident.
  • The family assistance site location.
  • For safety and security, we do not post the reunification site location ahead of time.
  • Instructions for reunification.
  • A reminder to bring your ID.

 

What AAPS needs from parents/guardians during the family assistance process

 

  • Patience. Please be patient. The family assistance process takes time, but we need to be thorough to ensure all students are accounted for. Trained staff are with your students at all times.
  • Follow all directions from the family assistance team. This will help to expedite the reunification process.
    • Interpreters- there will be interpreters present to help throughout the process.
  • Bring your ID - your student will not be released to you without proper identification.
    • Keep in mind that the family assistance team may not know you and your school staff will not be available to assist with your identification.
  • Trust us - your students will be well cared for at the site until you are reunified.
    • We have over 100 volunteers from all over the district who have planned and trained for this.

 

What happens when i get to the family assistance site? How do i get my child?

 

 Parking and traffic flow

  • Follow all signs and directions provided by the traffic flow team. They will direct you where to park and how to access the site. This will expedite the process and minimize chaos.
  • Park in the designated area only. If you abandon your vehicle in an unauthorized area, this will cause needless congestion and delays.
  • Bring your ID and walk, as directed, to the check-in area.

At the check-in area, complete the parent/guardian family assistance card

  • Complete the family assistance card provided to you by the AAPS team member. Some of the same information is repeated on both the top and bottom of the cards. Complete all parts of the cards.
  • You will need one card for each student that you are picking up.
  • Once completed, an AAPS team member will show you to the check-in desk.

At check-in:

  • Show your completed family assistance card(s) and identification.
  • Once the identity of the parent/guardian is confirmed, the family assistance card is separated and the bottom half is given to the parent/guardian.
  • The parent/guardian will then proceed to the student area as instructed by the AAPS team.

At the student family assistance area:

  • An AAPS team member will take the bottom of your card to retrieve your student.
  • Once you are with your student(s), please leave the area immediately. This will expedite the process for the other families that are still waiting.

 

What will your student(s) be doing during the evacuation and at the family assistance site?

 

  • If students are transported to an offsite family assistance location, students will be met by the AAPS team.
  • At the family assistance site, they will be supervised and cared for by their school staff and members of the AAPS family assistance team until they are reunited with their family.
  • There will be a medical team, special education support services and interpreters at the family assistance site to assist as needed.

 

Other Questions

Can I pick up my neighbor's child?

  • No. Students will only be released to their approved emergency contacts with a valid ID.
  • If the parent/guardian cannot get to the family assistance site, we will release your student to one of your emergency contacts with proper approval (by phone contact) and their valid ID. Please keep your student’s emergency contact information up to date with the school.
  • If no parent/guardian or a confirmed emergency contact is available, the student will remain at the family assistance site with AAPS staff until the parent/guardian can arrive to pick up their student.

When can students go back inside the school to get their personal items?

  • Only when the school is deemed safe to re-enter by emergency and school officials. This will vary depending on the nature of the incident.

My student drove their car to school. How can they get it back?

  • There may be instances where a student will not be allowed to remove a vehicle from the parking lot. In this case, parents are advised to pick up the student. Families will be advised when they can pick up their vehicles.

 

 

AAPS Family Assistance/Reunification Process

Please take a few minutes to view this video that explains the family assistance/reunification process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yreskvz25ss