On Wednesday, May 13th, Clermont Northeastern Schools will conduct a state-required safety drill and a comprehensive Standard Reunification Method (SRM) exercise.
VIDEO EXPLANATION
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. While we practice safety drills throughout the year, this exercise allows us to practice the critical final step: reuniting students with their families in a safe, organized, and predictable manner.
Schedule & Early Release Times
To facilitate this full-scale exercise, we will have an early release for all students on May 13th. To keep traffic moving and ensure a smooth operation, please adhere to the following arrival windows:
Middle & High School
Release Time: 1:00 PM
Parent Arrival: No earlier than 12:45 PM
Elementary School
Release Time: 2:00 PM
Parent Arrival: No earlier than 1:45 PM
The Drive-Up Reunification Process
We will be utilizing a Drive-Up Model at the CNEAA Fields (2702 US-50, Batavia, OH 45103). For this process to be quick and efficient, please follow these steps:
Stay in Your Vehicle: To maintain safety and traffic flow, do not approach the buildings on foot. Staying in your car allows the process to run quicker and more efficiently.
Follow Directions: Staff and law enforcement will direct you into specific lanes.
Have Photo ID Ready: This is a non-negotiable safety requirement. We can only release students to authorized guardians listed in Final Forms.
The Process: You will be handed a Reunification Card to complete from your vehicle. Once verified, we will coordinate the hand-off of your student.
Note for Multi-School Families: If you have students in both Middle and High School, please stop at the Middle School first before proceeding to the High School.
Bus Transportation & Student Drivers
Bus Riders: Students will board assigned buses and depart campus significantly earlier than usual. Please plan for your student to arrive at their bus stop approximately 20–30 minutes earlier than their typical drop-off time.
Student Drivers: Students will be dismissed in a staggered manner and directed to specific exits to avoid the reunification traffic flow.
After-School Activities: We plan on being completely finished with the exercise by the typical end-of-day school time. This exercise will not interfere with scheduled practices, games, or after-school events.
Early Pick-Up Option
If you do not wish for your child to participate in the reunification exercise, you are welcome to pick them up early. All early pickups must be completed by 12:00 PM on the day of the event. To opt out, simply send an email to your building secretary and administrators notifying them of your plans by the morning of May 13th.
We are pleased to share that our Preschool families and students will be fully participating in this year’s Reunification Drill! To ensure our youngest learners are supported and safe, we have developed a specific plan for their transition to the reunification site.
The Preschool Plan
Instructional Prep: Before departing for the exercise, Preschool students will watch a safety video featuring a children’s safety book read by our School Resource Officer. This helps frame the day as a positive, proactive learning experience.
The Transition: All Preschool students and staff will board a district bus and be transported from the Preschool building to the Elementary School campus.
Supervision: Our Preschool teachers and aides will remain with their students at the elementary site, supervising and supporting them through the entire reunification process until they are handed off to their families.
How Families Participate
Preschool families will follow the same Drive-Up protocols as our Elementary families:
Arrival Time: Arrive at the CNEAA Fields (2702 US-50) no earlier than 1:45 PM.
Stay in Your Vehicle: To keep our students safe and the lines moving, please remain in your car. Your child's teacher will be on-site to assist with the hand-off once your ID is verified.
Required ID: As with all grades, please have your Photo ID ready and ensure you are listed in Final Forms.
Preschool Schedule Summary
Early Release/Reunification: 2:00 PM
Parent Arrival Window: 1:45 PM – 2:00 PM
Early Pick-Up (Optional): If you choose to opt out, you must pick up your child by 12:00 PM and notify the building secretary/administrator via email.
Staff Support: We know this is a new experience for our preschoolers. Our staff is dedicated to making this a calm, organized, and even fun "field trip" style exercise for them.
Why We Practice
Reunification is a vital part of our safety plan. By testing our Drive-Up method now, we ensure that if a real emergency ever occurs, we can get your children back in your arms as quickly and calmly as possible.
Over the coming weeks, look for video explanations and key information in this newsletter to ensure a smooth event. Thank you for your cooperation and your commitment to keeping our CNE community safe!