Weather & Emergency Preparedness


I. Weather

The Barrie School Weather Emergency Policy

Also see: Current Weather Forecast

In the event of inclement weather, a decision to open or close school will be made no later than 5:30AM. Snow emergencies will be announced on the Barrie School website, main switchboard (301.576.2800), and on the following radio and television stations: WAML News Radio 630 AM, WETA 90.9 FM, WTOP FM 103.5, 107.7 FM, NBC 4 News, FOX 5 News, ABC 7/WJLA News and W*USA 9 News.

Please Note: The Barrie School does not follow Montgomery County or DC Public School closures. Depending on the severity of the forecasted weather event, a decision will be made to either:

• Open School on time
• Open school at 10AM with Snow Emergency Routes in effect. No morning supervision
• Open School on time with Snow Emergency Routes in effect and no morning supervision
• Close School for the day. All after school activities cancelled

IMPORTANT: When school opens at 10:00 A.M., Lower, Middle and Upper School students are expected to begin to arrive at 9:50 A.M. Please do NOT drop off your children before 9:50 A.M., as school buildings may not be staffed or unlocked!

In addition, in the event that a decision is made to close school for the day, ALL after school activities (practices, games, drama rehearsals, performances, etc.) will also be cancelled, unless otherwise stated.

In the event that a decision is made to close school early, this announcement will be posted on the website, announced on the main switchboard, and announced on radio and television stations. There will be no afternoon supervision, athletic events, or practices on early closing days.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Barrie Bus Transportation, please contact Tammie Conway at 301.576.2870.

II. Emergency Preparedness

The Barrie School has put together an Emergency Team to handle all on-campus emergency situations. Emergency Team Leaders are all experienced in their particular area and lead a team of Barrie employees to support on-campus emergencies. Charles Gosse, Chief Financial Officer, is Barrie's lead co-coordinator for emergencies. He can be reached at: 301.576.2824.

A. Emergency Teams and Leaders

Communications Team – Led by Vicky Temple, Director of Communications – responsible for handling all telephone inquires from parents, the website updates, media contacts, and external emergency communications.

Medical Team – Led by Denise Doyle, RN – Barrie’s School Nurse,  – responsible for distribution of medical apparatus, including: grab & go bags complete with oxygen, defibrillators, and other medical equipment – also charged with setting-up triage stations in co-ordination with external emergency operations.

Safety & Rescue Team - Led by Facilities Director, Randy Asbury – responsible for keeping the campus roads clear, keeping buildings safe, and reporting on the physical condition of the campus – has special equipment and expertise to deal with anticipated situations.

Shelter Preparation Team – Led by Dan Conway, Assistant Director of Athletics – responsible for setting-up shelter with food and water, bedding, and running the generator.

Student Support Teams – Led by the Heads of the Lower School, Kenna Armstrong, the Middle School, Laurel Seid, and the Upper School, Paul Belliveau – handle all students including counseling needs.

Traffic Control Team – Led by Peter Vogdes, Director of the Barrie Camp and Extended Day – responsible for controlling access to the campus enabling emergency vehicles quick and easy access.

Transportation Team – Led by Tammie Conway, Transportation Director – responsible for possible evacuation of campus, or movement to one side of campus from the other – has buses and drivers available.

B. Emergency Recorded Message to Parents

1. If an emergency occurs on campus, you will receive a recorded message to
   the telephone numbers you have supplied to Barrie.
   
   Your caller ID will display 411 anytime a call is coming through from the school. Caller ID will not display a name associated with the number.
    
2. There is a slight 2-3 second delay once the telephone has been answered.
   Please remain on the line. The system needs to detect a couple of seconds of
   silence to determine whether a live person has picked up the telephone or an
   answering machine.
    
3. The system will leave a message on your voicemail or answering machine.
   However, the system is set to ring each line 6 times. If your answering
   machine is set to pick up after the sixth ring; a message will not be delivered
   to your machine. It is suggested that you set the system to ring 6 times or
   less.
    
4. If your telephone has equipment such as Telemarketer Zapper or Privacy
   Director you may not receive the call. For example, with Privacy Director
   incoming calls are re-routed and callers must identify themselves for the call
   to go through. Since the system is automated, it will not identify itself and
   the call will not go through to your number.

Copies of the school's Emergency Preparedness plan are available for review at the school, but you may download a summary by clicking on the follwoing LINK.