School Safety

Desert Heights Charter School is committed to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment in all of our classrooms. All members of our school community play a vital role in keeping our students safe. Desert Heights Charter Schools community abides by the state regulations and has safety teams in place for each campus.   

Community members can report suspicious activity at any of our schools, please call (602) 896-2900 and select option #8.   

In The Event of an Emergency  

The school staff will prioritize the safety and well-being of all students and staff. Staff will communicate with parents/ guardians as soon as reasonably possible.  

• Evacuation -An evacuation is when students are sent outside of the school building to prevent harm or injury due to a hazardous situation inside of the school, such as a fire.  
• Lockdowns -A lockdown takes place when a hazardous threat or a possible hazardous threat has been identified inside of the building or in close proximity of the school. All exterior and interior doors are locked, and students must remain in the school. No entry or exit to the  school is allowed during a lockdown.  
• Reunification- Reunification is the process used to bring students and their parents/guardians together due to an emergency that has affected the school or a site in the vicinity of the school. Reunification can occur on the school campus, or when students have been moved to an alternate location. During the reunification process, students can only be released to their parent/ guardian or an adult listed as an emergency contact with the school. Adults picking up students must bring proper government issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID card, or passport.

Ways Parents Can Support School Safety Preparing for A School Emergency  

• Keep your contact information updated such as phone numbers, email, and student’s emergency contact information. Students will not be released from school to unauthorized individuals.  
• Talk to your student about school emergency procedures so they know what to expect in the event of an emergency or crisis.  

If An Incident Occurs at Your Student’s School  

• If you are notified of a school emergency at your student’s school, do not go to the school. Stay in a location where you can be notified when additional information about your student’s school situation becomes available. Students will not be released until the incident has ended or the scene is safe for release. Be prepared to pick up your student at a reunification site. 

What to do in the Event of A School Emergency  

• We will contact you with an automated phone call that will notify you when it is safe to pick up your student, the location for pickup, or any updates as soon as they are available.  
• Check the Desert Heights Charter Schools website at dhschools.org and our social media channels for updated information.  
• Tune into local TV and radio stations for school news alerts.  
• Listen for information regarding reunification with your student. Please remember to bring valid government identification with you to the reunification site.  
• Do not go to your child’s school; this will create traffic congestion that could interfere with the efforts of first responders.  
• Please do not call your child’s school. Excessive phone calls could interfere with emergency communications. Staff and administration will not be available during an emergency to answer phone calls.