Emergency Communication

What Parents Need To Know In An Emergency

In the event an emergency occurs during school hours, your student(s) will be cared for at their school or at a designated area. Your cooperation is necessary in any emergency; therefore, please be aware of the following guidelines:

• Do not telephone the school directly. School telephone lines may be needed for emergency communication. 
• Parents will be contacted by school personnel in an emergency situation directly involving their child. 
• Information will be made available through the following means: 
• Mass notification system. The District will communicate with parents via email, telephone, and/or SMS text messaging. Parents and guardians are requested to maintain current contact information at their student's school. 
• District website.  
• District office at 520-682-3243. 
• Stay tuned to local television and radio stations for emergency information. 
• Students will be kept at their home school when possible. If evacuation is required, we will transport students 1) to another District School and 2) if necessary, to community partner locations that can accommodate our students and staff safely. 
• If students are evacuated to another location, parents will be notified by District personnel. 
• A student will only be released to parent(s) or authorized individuals identified on the student’s MUSD Health/Emergency Information Form.

About MUSD's Emergency Response Plan
The safety and well-being of students and staff are our highest priority. MUSD and all schools have a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan, aligned with state and national school safety protocols, which provides step-by-step guidelines for maximizing safety, efficiency, and communication. The Plan has been developed in compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines and in collaboration with local emergency management agencies. District emergency procedures are designed to maximize the use of available resources and respond effectively and efficiently to each situation.  

Practicing Safety Drills at School
Conducting safety drills is a crucial element in responsible, effective crisis preparation. In accordance with state guidelines, each school regularly plans and practices safety drills to help ensure students and staff are prepared for emergencies.  This gives students and staff time to practice where to report, what to do, and how as a school to respond in the event of a real emergency. Safety drills also help continuously refine and improve protocols and processes. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to continue to support schools with this process by talking to their student about the importance of following the directions of school leaders and first responders in the event of a safety concern. 

Emergency Communications
The Marana Unified School District is committed to ensuring that students, staff members, parents, the media, and the community have accurate, consistent, and timely information in the event of an emergency. Emergency communications mitigates negative impacts in the community and encourages fair, objective media coverage. 

In emergency situations, the priorities are: (1) the safety and health of students, staff and community members, (2) compliance with local, state and federal law and the directives of public safety officials, (3) the privacy and emotional well-being of affected individuals and (4) clear and responsible communication with stakeholders and community members.

Clear and responsible communication is a critical part of incident management. Any emergency in a school will generate intense interest from the public and the media. The Department of Public Relations will establish, coordinate, and direct public information to all stakeholders and media in coordination with the Superintendent.  

For Additional Information Contact:

Steve Johnson -
Safety and Security Coordinator
(520) 616-4521