Your Local Schools

Both Lake Tahoe Unified School District and St. Theresa School subscribe to a communication service, Blackboard Connect. This enables school administrators to record and send personalized voice messages to thousands of students, parents, and staff in minutes. The Blackboard Connect service provides schools with the ability to communicate emergency information as well as improve awareness, increase involvement, and audit communication on a regular basis. Keeping your child’s emergency card information updated with correct phone contacts is vital to you receiving information accurately and efficiently. If you have further questions about this service, please contact your child’s school.

All schools diligently practice emergency procedures. The accountability and safety of all children and adults on our campuses are of utmost concern. Schools need your cooperation during an emergency situation. During an emergency, your child is well cared for by trained individuals. In order to keep your child safe, we need your assistance in several ways.

• Do not contact your child or hold a conversation with your child on a cell phone. As you know, cell phone usage in an area can quickly become overwhelmed. School personnel may need the ability to use cell phone service during that emergency.
• Do not phone the school. School personnel will need all available phone lines to conduct calls to emergency personnel needed at that time. The schools’ emergency phone system, Blackboard Connect, will automatically phone the primary numbers you provided on your child’s emergency card with important information.
• Do not drive to the school. Your good intentions could actually cause a traffic issue for the emergency agencies assisting the school.
• Do turn to your local radio or television stations for emergency information. Public Information Officers for the schools and emergency response agencies will post information quickly and regularly.
• Do ensure that the Emergency Card information on your child is accurate and current throughout the school year. Once our Student / Parent Reunification process begins, students will ONLY be released to the individuals who:
  1. Have current legal identification such as a driver’s license; state issued identification card, or passport. Please know ahead of time, that even if school staff is familiar to you, this is a legal matter and will be followed.
  2. Are listed on the release portion of the Emergency Card. Under no circumstances will a student be released to anyone not currently listed on the emergency card. Keeping this information updated is of the utmost importance and your responsibility.