Clovis Unified School District

February 2026 - School Safety Communications

Your children are our children, and their safety is our top priority.

Clovis Unified maintains comprehensive safety plans designed to address a wide range of situations. Throughout the year, our schools conduct ongoing assessments, staff training and practice drills so site teams are prepared to respond quickly and appropriately in an emergency.

This year, we implemented a new districtwide communication standard to keep you informed: within the FIRST 15 MINUTES of a safety event, parents will receive a message from the school or district.

Two young girls smile and hug in front of a yellow school bus.

Why 15 Minutes?

When a safety incident occurs at school, our first priority is securing the campus and ensuring the well being of students and staff. During this time, staff are focused on emergency procedures and coordinating with responders, so we ask families not to call or come to campus, as this may delay response efforts.

A brief ParentSquare message will be sent, within about 15 minutes, identifying the type of safety response in place, with additional updates to follow once everyone is secure. Please make sure your contact information and notification preferences are current in ParentSquare to receive timely updates.

A sleek, black electric motorcycle is displayed against a white background.

Electric Motorcycle/Moped:

Mopeds or electric motorcycles are two- or three-wheeled motor assisted vehicles. Some can reach speeds over 50 mph. These vehicles often have motorcycle “pegs” instead of pedals. To ride a vehicle like this you must have an M1 license. E-motorcycles require a DOT approved helmet, and the correct vehicle registration. Many of these (like IE Surron, E-Ride Pro, & Talaria bikes) must be registered and can only be ridden on private property or specially marked trails for off-highway vehicles or face the possibility of impoundment.

A black and gray electric scooter stands on a white background.

E-Scooter:

A “motorized scooter” is any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, and is powered by an electric motor. Riders should be aware of the specific rules and regulations governing the use of e-scooters.

Safety is Our Priority

CIovis Unified School District is committed to keeping students and staff safe. We work closely with local and state agencies including police, fire, EMS and public health officials to ensure we are prepared for any emergency, whether natural or manmade.

If an emergency occurs, our first priority is securing the campus and protecting students. We will then provide parents with accurate, timely information.

Our school emergency terms are explained in the drop-down boxes.

Called when there is an immediate, serious threat to students or staff (such as an immenent threat to school or our students).
- Students are moved indoors, doors are locked, and no one may enter or leave.
- Students will not be released to parents during a lockdown.
- Students are accounted for by staff.
- Law enforcement works with school administrators to determine when it is safe to lift the lockdown.
Called when it may be unsafe to remain indoors (such as fire, gas leak, or certain threats).

Each school has procedures in place for partial or complete evacuation, including multiple on- and off-site locations.
Called when school officials are made aware of a potentially hazardous situation that may reach a district facility.

If a shelter in place is called, a school site is on heightened alert and doors remain locked. Students are not allowed to leave, and instruction continues.
Schools are prepared to continue operating during most outages.
Used during an earthquake or other natural disaster necessitating shelter be taken.

Recent Safety Measures

One-touch locking door systems being installed at all schools and district facilities by the end of the 2025-26 school year.
District-wide testing of emergency PA systems and security cameras, along with regular safety drills.
Ongoing training for Clovis Unified police officers to stay current on best practices in prevention and response.

By the Numbers: E-Bike Safety & Injuries

83% of e-bike and e-scooter accidents occurred in urban areas, compared with rural settings.
E-Bike and E-Scooter accidents are doubling every year:
- 56,844 e-scooter injuries in 2022, up from 8,566 in 2017.
- 23,493 e-bike injuries in 2022, up from 751 in 2017.

A young pre-teen girl smiles while riding a bicycle, wearing a red helmet.

Source: Harvard Medical School Report (Sept. 2024), "The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe?"

If Your School Is In An Emergency:

How the District Communicates:

During an emergency, the district will provide updates through:

Automated phone calls
Text messages and emails
District and school websites
Local media (when appropriate)

To receive updates, keep your contact information current with your child's school. Contact details cannot be changed during an active emergency response. ParentSquare communications are a critical tool for sharing timely emergency alerts, important updates and resolution information. If you have opted out, you can easily resume receiving messages by texting START to 66458 to re-enroll and ensure you receive all District communications.

All information shared with families is verified before release. Our protocols include identifying and addressing rumors to ensure parents receive accurate, confirmed information.

A person holds a smartphone displaying the ParentSquare app.

What Parents Should Do:

Do not go immediately to campus: While it is natural to want to pick up your child, your presence could interfere with law enforcement and emergency responders. In many cases, officers will establish a secured perimeter around the school, and no one will be allowed inside.
Wait for official instructions: If student pickup or evacuation is required, parents will receive clear directions, including location and identification requirements. Students will only be released to authorized adults with proper ID.
Use official sources: Rely on district communication channels for updates. Unofficial reports or social media posts may contain incomplete or inaccurate information. If you hear a rumor, contact the school directly for clarification.
Remain calm: If your child contacts you, stay as calm and reassuring as possible. Parents set the tone for their child's emotional response.

A woman holds a baby while looking at her phone in a bright kitchen.

How to Prepare Your Family

Create a Family Emergency Plan: Talk with your children about what your family would do during a school or community emergency. Establish meeting locations, communication plans and backup contacts.
Keep emergency contacts up to date: Ensure the school has current phone numbers and a list of authorized adults who may pick up your child.
Talk about following directions: Remind your child of the importance of listening carefully and following staff instructions during any emergency.
Discuss communication expectations: Talk as a family about how you will stay in contact during an emergency. Emphasize that students should stay off cell phones unless directed otherwise, as phone use can interfere with emergency procedures.

A family of four sits together on a couch, engaged in conversation.

Start a Conversation: Ask your child if they know what to do during a lockdown, evacuation or other school emergency.

About Parent Bulletins

Parent Bulletins are created by Clovis Unified as a partnering effort to raise awareness and equip families with resources to help kids succeed. These occasional pieces focus on youth trends and culture that may pose risks to students and/or hold school-related consequences, and are designed to start family conversations.