School Safety

At our school, student safety is a top priority and a shared responsibility. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment where all students feel secure and cared for each day. Our campus uses proactive supervision, clear safety procedures, and strong partnerships among staff, students, and families to support physical and emotional well-being. Through ongoing safety planning, communication, and education, we work to ensure that every student can focus on learning, growth, and success in a safe school community.

Ewa Makai Middle School — Safety Drills & Emergency Procedures (SY26–27)

Purpose

Here at Ewa Makai Middle School, we strive to provide a safe and secure learning environment for all students, staff, and visitors. School safety drills are crucial for saving lives by teaching students and staff how to evacuate and respond calmly and efficiently during an emergency. To help prepare our learning community for an emergency, we conduct a minimum of four (4) drills throughout the school year—some announced and some unannounced due to exigent circumstances or events. Some drills are also combined with other drills as listed below. 

The drills that we conduct are:

  • Fire Drill & Evacuation Drill

  • Shelter-in-Place Drill

  • Hard Lockdown Drill

We need your support in our efforts to keep everyone safe, and we appreciate the kōkua of you and your child(ren) during these drills. Please continue to have discussions with your child(ren) about the importance of these safety exercises.

If you have any questions regarding any of these safety drills or other safety-related concerns, please feel free to contact the Ewa Makai Middle School main office at (808) 509-1500.

SY26–27 Safety Drill Schedule (Dates subject to change)

  • September 17, 2026: Fire Drill / Evacuation Drill

  • October 2, 2026: Shelter-in-Place Drill (transitioning into a Fire Drill)

  • December 4, 2026: Hard Lockdown Drill (transitioning into a Fire Drill)

Safety Drill Descriptions

1. Fire Drill & Evacuation Drill

Fire drills are a critical component of school safety. They prepare students and staff to react quickly and efficiently in the event of an actual fire and serve as a building-based evacuation procedure. The purpose of an evacuation drill is to safely move students from a school building, or from campus, to a predetermined location in response to an emergency. This provides the school with an opportunity to test emergency systems (PA/alarm systems), practice evacuation routes, and check accessibility to designated assembly sites.

2. Shelter-in-Place Drill

The Shelter-in-Place drill is designed to protect students and staff from threats requiring shelter—such as hazardous material spills, severe weather/high winds, or other situations where students and staff are most secure inside designated interior rooms rather than hallways or outdoors. During a shelter-in-place, all exterior doors are closed and locked. Students and staff remain in designated interior rooms until the situation has been resolved or secondary emergency procedures (such as a fire evacuation) begin.

3. Hard Lockdown Drill

The purpose of a lockdown drill is to help students practice how to stay safe from any potential danger that occurs on campus—inside or outside of the buildings. During a hard lockdown drill, all perimeter doors to all buildings, interior classrooms, and hallways will be locked and remain locked until the threat or issue is resolved and an “All Clear” signal is given. So that everyone may remain safe, no one will be allowed to enter or leave the buildings/classrooms or campus until authorized by administration or appropriate emergency authorities.

NOTIFICATION of Emergencies and Drills

During a school emergency or drill, our top priority is the safety of all students and staff. We will share information with parents, guardians, and the community as quickly and clearly as possible.

How to get updates and how you can help:

  • Listen for Mass-Messaging: Pay attention to automated phone calls, SMS texts, or emails sent directly from Ewa Makai Middle School.

  • Check Official Channels: Monitor the official Ewa Makai Middle School website and official Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) news releases and social media channels.

  • DO NOT call the school office during an active emergency. School phone lines must be kept open for emergency responders and law enforcement. Overloading the phone system delays emergency response times.

  • DO NOT post on social media asking for updates. This can spread unverified rumors, cause panic, or cause people to rush to the campus, which disrupts emergency response efforts.

  • The Leeward District Office (808-692-8000) serves as another official source of information. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during these critical times.

Your Role During Emergencies

Your cooperation is vital for your child’s safety during any school emergency or drill. School personnel are trained to keep your child safe, and following these guidelines will help resolve situations as quickly and safely as possible.

If your child contacts you:

Receiving a call or text during a drill or real emergency can be scary, but please do your very best to stay calm and guide your child with these steps:

  1. Reinforce safety: Ask if an adult/teacher is with them and reassure them that they are safe.

  2. Silence the phone: Remind them to silence their phone ringers/vibrations immediately and listen closely to instructions from school staff.

  3. Stay off phones and social media: Instruct them to stay off social media and refrain from texting during the event. Sharing real-time unverified updates can cause panic and hinder response times.

  4. Follow up later: Remind them to contact you once the incident is officially over and an "All Clear" has been issued.

Remain Home or at Work

Do not drive to the school during an active emergency or drill.

  • Keep emergency routes clear: Traffic congestion created by vehicles around campus blocks access for police, fire, and emergency personnel, delaying critical response efforts.

  • Bus Drop-Off / Transportation: If students are sent home via regular bus routes or emergency transport, it is extremely important that an authorized adult is present to receive your child.

REUNIFICATION: What Parents/Guardians Need to Know

What Does This Situation Mean?

In the event of certain building or campus-wide emergencies, students may be required to leave campus buildings and relocate to a designated off-site evacuation assembly area. Reunification is the structured process used by school staff to safely reunite children with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

What Are the Different Types of Release?

  • Daily Release: The standard dismissal process used every school day.

  • Controlled Release: Used when students are reunited with families in a systematic way due to a mild safety concern or delay. This may involve releasing students class-by-class, through designated pickup areas, or slightly later than normal dismissal.

  • Formal Reunification: Occurs after a major evacuation or serious campus event. During this process, students are held at a secure location until parents/guardians check in. Parents will check in at a designated station and check out at a release station.

  • A PHOTO ID IS STRICTLY REQUIRED for student release.

  • A formal reunification process can take up to several hours depending on the nature of the event, law enforcement directives, and family coordination.

What Can Parents Do?

In the event of an emergency requiring reunification, do not rush directly to the main school campus or block evacuation routes. Wait for official broadcast announcements identifying the designated Reunification Location.

  • School staff will ONLY release a student to a parent, legal guardian, or pre-authorized emergency contact with a valid picture ID.

  • Parents/guardians must sign out the student with designated staff to ensure accountability for every child.

Please check your phone, email, and the school website for detailed instructions during a reunification event.


Report a Concern

Use this form to notify our BTAM team of potential threats to school, students, or staff.