BLRA Weekly Update
November 18, 2022
Upcoming Events
11/21-11/25-Thanksgiving Break
12/20 $1 Jeans Day, 1pm Release Day, End of Quarter2/1st Semester
12/21-1/6-Winter Break
Dear Stallion Families,
We hope you all have a restful break and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
School Safety Protocols
The Standard Response Protocol
The Standard Response Protocol was developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation. The protocols are used in over 30,000 schools and municipalities nationwide. They were created through research-based best practices of school administrators, psychologists, public safety experts, families, and first responders. The Standard Response Protocol creates common and consistent language among educators, communities, and first responding agencies.
Depending on the circumstances, a protocol may be implemented without any school functions being disrupted, while others may necessitate changes in dismissal times and might involve local emergency services. We are prepared to care for your children in all of these situations. When we work together, we are all safer.
HOLD is initiated when there is a safety concern in the hallways of the building. A Hold is used when it is necessary to restrict movement within the school or building. Examples that may prompt a Hold being called include a medical emergency or a physical altercation occuring in the hallway.
SECURE is initiated when there is a threat OUTSIDE the building. A Secure is often implemented due to emergency situations that take place in the neighborhood close to the schools. Examples that may prompt a Secure being called include a bank robbery near a school, police activity, or a dangerous animal in the area.
LOCKDOWN is used when there is an active threat or dangerous incident on the campus. Students and staff must find immediate shelter inside the nearest classroom as quickly as possible. Lock the door and turn out the lights. Stay out of the line of sight, and gather in a space so someone in the hallway couldn’t see you when looking through a doorway. Huddle behind large items for extra protection, and consider barricading the doorway if it can be done quickly. Be very quiet. Be prepared to move quickly. Don’t open the door for anyone--stay until law enforcement comes to your classroom and leads you to safety.
EVACUATE is used to get students and staff out of the building by a route designed to avoid contact with a potential threat, such as a suspicious package, a threatening person in a specific confined area, a bomb threat, or a hazardous material spill. An Evacuation protects staff and students from a threat where the exact location in the building is known.
SHELTER is issued for severe weather or hazardous material incidents. A Shelter directive is used to relocate students to a safe area away from a potential weather- or HAZMAT-related danger.
Parents: We need your help!
1. Please let the front office know if you are not receiving communications from the school.
Parents will usually receive texts and email messages from Banning Lewis Academy when these protocols are implemented.
2. Monitor your email for updates and instructions.
In an effort to reduce confusion and the spread of misinformation, Banning Lewis Academy will usually email updates once we know the information is accurate.
It is likely that information and misinformation will be on social media and reported through mainstream media before you receive communication from Banning Lewis Academy.
Our first priority is to make sure students and staff are safe and that their needs are being met. Then, once we have accurate information, we will share it with parents. Sometimes this takes a little time; please be patient.
3. Please don’t call the school during an emergency -staff members are focused on student safety.
4. Please don’t call your child at school during an emergency.
Students’ attention should be focused on their teacher’s instructions and what’s being asked of them at that moment.
If your child calls you during an emergency, please help them stay calm and remind them to listen to their teacher and follow directions. Don’t share information with them unless you know for certain it is accurate. Doing so only adds to your child’s confusion.
5. Don’t drive to the school during an emergency - the streets need to be open for response personnel to safely arrive. Additionally, congregating outside may endanger you and/or others.
6. Banning Lewis Academy will always give you instructions when dismissal times and/or procedures are affected by security protocols.
Because each situation is different, sometimes these alternate dismissal plans take a bit of time to finalize; please be patient.
7. Banning Lewis Academy staff will always stay with students until parents can pick them up.
Rest easy knowing your child is safe until you get there.
Weather Delays/Cancellations
We are approaching the winter season when delays and cancellations begin to happen. Here is what to know:
- We follow D-49. If they call a 2 hour delay/cancellation, BLA will as well.
- BLA will send out an email, text blast, alert news stations, & post on Facebook, in addition to FlashAlert (instructions below)
- Create a new account
- Choose Colorado Springs/Pueblo
- Go to Private/Charter schools
- Choose Banning Lewis Academy
Tardy Policy
As a reminder, our school day starts promptly at 8:00am. Student's that are not in their classroom at 8:00am are considered tardy, and need to be signed in by a parent at the front desk in order to have an EXCUSED tardy.
Please ensure that your student is arriving on time and ready to start their day!
Be a Substitute teacher With BLA
School Drop Off
If you are using the Kiss and Go:
- Follow the directions of the adults out front and pull as far forward as possible
- Kids need to exit the vehicle only on the passenger side for their own safety
- Adults must remain in the vehicle, if you need to help your child out of the vehicle, please use the parking lot
If you are using the Parking Lot:
- Please park your vehicle in a parking spot and help your child to the crosswalk
PTO Happenings
WatchD.O.G.S.
View Program Flyer (PDF) »
2022-23 WatchDOGS Registration Form »
Review times and sign up for a time slot »
Safe2Tell
The Colorado Safe2Tell program provides an anonymous way for community members, staff members, parents and students to report concerning behavior. We count on our entire community to report concerning behavior in order to maintain our safe school. Safe2Tell reports can be made online at www.safe2tellco.org or by calling 1-877-542-7233. This information is also found on our website and all school badges.
Opt in to Text Alerts from BLA
Get Involved at BLA!
Contact BLRA
Email: info@blracademy.org
Website: www.blracademy.org
Location: 7094 Cottonwood Tree Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719-570-0075
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLRAcademy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banninglewisacademy_ranch/