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Mt. Spurr Response Plan

Dear Families,

In case Mt. Spurr erupts during school in the coming weeks, we want to communicate our plan ahead of time so you and your student(s) can also prepare for what that will look like in your family. Conversations now will help mitigate stress in the moment, especially since we anticipate an overload of the phone system and cell networks in the event of an eruption, much like what happened after the earthquake in 2018.

When Spurr erupts, we will have 1-4hrs before ash reaches Anchorage depending on wind direction and speed. If there is a projection for ash impact on Anchorage, the District will close schools right away, prioritizing high school and middle school bussing if possible, to ease the stress on parents stuck at work.

Here is our Dimond Release Plan:

  1. Admin will make an announcement that an eruption has occurred, and direct the release of students over the intercom for the next 10 minutes. 
  2. Students should plan to bring any ASD issued devices home in case schools are closed for an extended day or two.
  3. Release order will be as follows:
    1. Bus riders will be released first to the auditeria, and grouped by bus #
    2. Parent pick ups will be released second to the gym
    3. Student drivers and walkers will be released last, but will leave campus immediately
  4. We will have cloth masks available for students when/if needed.
  5. Students picked up by parents will still require Q contact verification or parent permission, and we will encourage text communication for this using student phones when possible, since we anticipate phone lines will be overloaded.
  6. Families should expect to follow the regular pick up flow as indicated on the attached map. We will all need to practice patience and offer grace, knowing that everyone is doing the best they can in a stressful situation.
  7. As we near the time of ash impact, staff will reduce exterior door use to minimize ash exposure inside the building.

Things to consider as a family:

  • What is the best/fastest way for your student to get home? Students are able to get rides from friends but parents need to be aware and make those arrangements ahead of time. All emergencies can be chaotic, and we don’t have the ability to question or monitor every student who leaves with a friend during the initial release. This is why it is important to discuss this as a family first.
  • If someone is picking your student up, are they listed as a contact in Q (uncle, grandparent, family friend)? If not, call Ms. Monteil in the curriculum office at 742-7008 to update your contact list.

I know we will all do the best we can and put safety first. We will get through it by working together. 

Principal D'Atri