Updated: April 2024

Student release procedures are used to release students from the school to their parent/guardian or guardian alternate in a safe and orderly manner during an emergency or disaster situation.

During a student release, the school sets up a make-shift Reception Centre and Parent Reunification area. If it’s a scheduled drill, it will typically be held in the school’s gymnasium.

During the student release process:

• Your identification will be cross-checked with your child(ren)’s Student Release Form
  
• Students are brought from their classroom to the parent reunification area.

Note that you, or your approved guardian alternate, are asked to bring photo identification (i.e., driver’s license) to the school.

Practicing the student release is an important component of your school’s emergency plan.

Student Release FAQ

Q: When would a school initiate a student release?

The student release process would only be initiated in response to an emergency event that has occurred during normal school hours. Possible scenarios include earthquake, hazmat, extreme weather, or a crisis within the school. The student release process assists students and staff with the safe and orderly release to parents.

Q: How will I know if my child’s school is scheduling a student release drill?

Elementary schools practice the student release process every other year. When scheduled, you will receive detailed advance communications from the principal alerting you of the date.

Q: Do secondary schools do student release drills?

Although practicing a formal student release is less practical for this age cohort, student release procedures are also in place for secondary schools.

Q: Do I need to take time off work to attend a scheduled student release drill?

Taking time off work is not required. If you are unable to attend the drill, determine if one of your designated guardian alternates (as listed on your Student Release form) is able. Students not picked up will remain supervised in their classroom and will be released at the end of the school day through normal procedures.

Q: Who can my child be released to?

Students will only be released to authorized parent/guardian or guardian alternates identified on the Student Emergency Identification and Student Release forms. These forms are provided to all families for completion at the beginning of each school year. When completing the forms it is important to consider adults who typically care for your child including friends, baby-sitters, daycares, grandparents, older siblings, relatives, and neighbours. SUGGESTION: Bring your Personal Alternates Record (also completed at the beginning of the school year) to the student release to help you remember additional children you have agreed to pick up.

Q: What happens to my child if they aren’t picked up during a student release drill?

Students not released to an authorized parent/guardian or guardian alternate during the scheduled drill will remain supervised in their classroom until the usual school dismissal time.

Q: What happens to my child if they aren’t picked up during a real emergency situation?

Students will remain under the supervision of school personnel until such time as they can be safely reunited with a parent/guardian or guardian alternate.

Q: I am picking up a student with diverse abilities; do I wait in the regular line?

During a practice exercise, parents/guardians or guardian alternates of children with diverse abilities should go to the front of the line or can make arrangement to come early.

Q: If I am picking up several children; do I have to keep standing in line?

Once you have arrived at the student release station, parents/guardian or guardian alternates picking up more than one child are not required to wait in a second line. Wait in line to pick up the first child, then go to the front of the line for child #2, #3, etc.

Q: Why does a line form during a student release drill?

When a drill has been scheduled, parents tend to arrive at approximately the same time and unfortunately a line can form. Your patience and understanding are appreciated. During a real emergency, parents/alternates are likely to arrive over a much longer time frame (several hours). Note that during a real emergency, parents are encouraged to wait before picking up their children to allow time for staff to assess the situation and setup the student release reunification process. Please follow the direction provided to you through the school’s communication channels.