Safety & Emergency

San Francisco Unified School District is continuously planning and preparing for emergencies that could interrupt the school day for students. We want to make sure that you are fully informed of our Emergency Operations Plan.

Schools have security measures to ensure the well-being of students and staff. While each school’s security system differs based on the size and layout of its campus and other factors, security measures may include: visitor check-in procedures, locked doors after the start of the school day, surveillance cameras, school resource officers and security aides.

The district also has a comprehensive crisis plan in the event of a citywide emergency, and district administrators coordinate closely with city emergency management officials and law enforcement representatives to monitor and update school site specific plans on an annual basis.

All schools have emergency response teams and are asked to practice safety protocol drills at least three times per year. Schools partner with the SF Police Department (SFPD) to conduct Lockdown drills and we will continue to work with SFPD to make sure these types of drills take place in an age-appropriate way that helps ensure our students know what to do in the event that this type of incident should occur.

If an emergency does occur at a school, we will notify parents as quickly as possible using a variety of means including text, email and phone call. Find out more about how we notify families and how to sign up for notifications.

IMPORTANT: At the beginning of every school year you receive a lot of forms to fill out, including the Emergency Card. Please fill it out every year and return to the school office.

In the event of an emergency such as an earthquake while your child is at school, you may find that it is difficult to contact your school as phone service may be interrupted or staff may be tending to students' needs. School staff will stay with your child until you, or an adult you previously authorized on the Emergency Card, can pick up your child. When you arrive at the school, staff will help you properly sign your child out.

Students may be moved to another location to provide better and more direct care. This decision will be made by the district administration and emergency personnel based current conditions, including the building safety and the duration of time that students may need to remain in the care of school staff. If relocation is necessary, schools will post signage at  the site letting you know where your child is being cared for. This information will also be posted on the district’s website and shared with the media.

School sites plan how to respond and recover from an emergency, disaster, or event resulting in the disruption of normal school operations. 

The district and the SF Department of Emergency Management work together to conduct district-wide trainings and update every school’s safety plan. Your school’s emergency plan may be viewed in the school’s main office.

If your child has special needs that require additional assistance in an emergency, you can work with school staff to develop an individualized emergency plan.

• SF 72: San Francisco's hub for emergency preparedness
• The American Red Cross free preparedness classes
• The Red Cross Ready Rating Program (for school teachers)