Great Washington ShakeOut

The Great Washington ShakeOut is the state’s largest earthquake and tsunami drill. This year the Great ShakeOut will take place at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 15.

The District cares about your student’s safety and we want to ensure that you and your household know how to stay safe during an earthquake. Disasters can happen at any time and place, even at home, in the middle of the night or during your commute. Discussing disaster preparedness at home as a family is important. You can be better prepared for disasters in three easy steps:

Know your hazards:

• Learn about the natural hazards in your home area.
• Conduct a home hazard hunt to identify hazards in your home like unsecured furniture, fire hazards and other potential issues using this Guide to earthquake hazards in your home.
• Help your student learn about hazards through the activities included with this letter.

Have a plan:

• Things to consider are how to pick up your student from school in a disaster, where your meeting place is to reunite with family if you cannot return home, and who your out-of-area contact person is.
• Be sure that your contact information is up-to-date in ParentVUE. Please contact your student's school if help is needed in accessing ParentVUE or if there are updates to contact information.
• Practice drop, cover and hold on! A classroom in Alaska executed these protective actions perfectly during their recent earthquake in November 2018. View the video clip.

Make kits:

• Items to include are water, non-perishable food, light source, first aid kit, comfort item and personal hygiene items.
• Start with small kits in vehicles, at work and in your student’s backpack.
• Continue storing supplies at home with the goal of being two weeks ready.

Please continue conversations at home with your student about disaster safety. Thank you for partnering with us to build resiliency in our school and keep our students safe! Please click here for more Great Washington ShakeOut resources.