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J-D Middle School leads district’s first reunification drill

In May, Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School took a proactive step to increase safety by conducting a small-scale reunification drill. This exercise marked the first event of its kind within the district, serving as an important pilot drill for future safety initiatives.

A reunification drill is a structured emergency simulation designed to prepare school staff, students, and families for the unexpected. In the event of an incident requiring a building evacuation, the drill establishes a secure, step-by-step process to verify parent/guardian identities and safely reunite them with their children.

Directly aligning with the district’s strategic plan priority area of Safe and Efficient Operations, this exercise allowed administrators and staff to put theoretical safety plans into real-world action.

“While we always hope we never have to use these protocols in a real emergency, proactive preparation could help keep students safe,” said J-D Middle School Principal Andy Eldridge. “Practicing these logistics in a controlled environment ensures that our staff can act swiftly, calmly, and effectively when it matters most.”

How the Drill Worked

To simulate a localized disruption, the school staged a creative scenario: a mock “attack” of wild turkeys that impacted two areas of the building. 

Strategic Relocation

Staff stand in gym wearing yellow vests talking in gym full of students.
Staff successfully guided fifth-grade students to one area of the building, while students in grades 6-8 were accounted for and escorted to another area.

Streamlined Parent Check-In

Two staff members wearing yellow vests check parent in during drill.
Parent/Guardian volunteers who signed up to participate arrived at a designated entrance. Staff members wearing high-visibility neon vests greeted them, verified identities, provided name tags, and escorted them to a secure classroom waiting area.

Law Enforcement Partnership

SPO checks paperwork of parent picking up student.
School Patrol Officers were on hand to assist with the vital task of verifying parent identification, ensuring that every student was safely and properly matched with an authorized adult before release.

Once the volunteer parent pick-ups were completed, staff smoothly transitioned to simulating the standard dismissal and bus transportation process.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Eldridge was on the move throughout the entire exercise, monitoring operations both inside and outside the building. Any minor logistical problems that arose were quickly addressed and documented for debriefing and future planning. 

The drill was deemed a valuable learning experience thanks to the high performance of staff and cooperation of students and parents/guardians.

“I am incredibly proud of how seamlessly our team and community worked together,” reflected Eldridge. “A drill like this is meant to show us what works and what needs to be improved. The insights we gained from this exercise are invaluable, and they will directly shape some safety decisions moving forward.”

With the success of J-D Middle School’s pilot drill, the district is already looking ahead. Plans are currently underway to introduce similar reunification drills to other school buildings across the district.