Dear Families,

As part of our commitment to keeping our students safe, Marin School will be holding its third annual large-scale release earthquake drill on November 5, 2025, from 12:50–1:25pm. We will be simulating a large-scale evacuation where we would be unable to occupy our building. We will be practicing releasing students directly to their emergency contacts or aftercare programs. Students will be evacuated from the building at approximately 12:55pm and will wait for pickup on the playground. Adults who are picking students up will need to line up on Curtis Street with their IDs. We will be matching students with their approved adults one at a time for release. At 1:25, we will send first through fifth graders back to their classrooms so that we can have TK and Kindergarten students released at their regular 1:30 time. 

We understand some of you may have questions or concerns, so we want to provide you with all the details upfront and assure you that your child's safety is our top priority.

Why we're doing this:

• Test our emergency communication systems: This is a crucial chance to ensure we can get in touch with you quickly and efficiently in case of any real-life event.

• Help our students practice earthquake safety: Remember "Drop, Cover, and Hold On"? We want our children to be familiar with the process and feel prepared.

• Optimize our emergency response procedures: By simulating a large-scale evacuation, we can identify areas for improvement and further cement our response plan.

What to expect on November 4 — Emergency Communication Test

• On November 4, you will receive a TEST mass text message as part of our system check. 

What to expect on November 5 — Emergency Drill Day

• Drill time: 12:50–1:25pm

• Pick-up procedure: This is where things get a little different. For safety and efficiency, students will be released one-by-one to an adult named on their Supplemental Emergency Information form. Please note:

  • Please bring an ID to this drill. We’ll be checking IDs and verifying names on the Supplemental Emergency Information form.

  • No families will be permitted on the yard during the drill.

  • **** STAY OUT OF LOADING ZONES **** Plan to walk or bike if possible. We want to keep Curtis Street near the gate clear for pick-up.

  • If you must drive, please do not park in the Curtis Street loading zone. 

• At 1:25pm, we will conclude our drill. 1st–5th grade students will return to classrooms and teachers will dismiss students at 1:45. TK and Kindergarten students will be released from their line-up spots on the playground at 1:30.

Action steps for you:

• Please fill out the Supplemental Emergency Information Form. This includes emergency contacts and afterschool pick-up information.

• On Nov 4th, look for the test communication and drill reminder.

• Plan for your child's pick up on November 5. If your child attends aftercare, they will be released to their program.

• Can't make it yourself? No problem! All students will be dismissed at regular dismissal times (TK & Kindergarten at 1:30; 1st-5th grades at 1:45).

• If your child is in TK or Kindergarten, you will be a big part of our drill since this is happening during your usual dismissal time. If you need to leave school quickly, please plan on picking up early in the drill and getting in line on Curtis Street.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why the individual pick-up? This is key to ensure that every student is accounted for in an emergency situation. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

What if my child attends aftercare? They will be released to their program. The school will coordinate with aftercare programs.

Can I park on Curtis Street? We kindly ask that you avoid parking on Curtis Street during pick-up to ensure smooth traffic flow.

What if my child usually walks home from school? Will they still be able to? Yes, all students who have not been picked up by 1:45pm will be dismissed as usual from their classrooms.

What if it rains? In the event of rain, we will reschedule this drill.

We know emergency situations can be scary, but we believe preparation is key to staying calm and protected. This drill is an important opportunity for everyone in our school community to come together and practice being ready. The teachers are great at keeping students informed, calm and engaged during these practices. 

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support. We are confident that by working together, we can keep our students safe.

Sincerely,

Melisa Pfohl, Principal