Substitutes, support staff, and employees providing temporary coverage may know the students and daily routine, but they may not know the safety procedures for that specific room or assignment.

A substitute should not have to figure out emergency exits, communication procedures, student accountability, or classroom safety information after an emergency has already started.

When handing off a classroom, duty, or supervision assignment, take a moment to make sure the person covering knows the essential safety information they may need.

Safety information should be part of every handoff, not just lesson plans or daily instructions.

What safety information should always be shared when someone is covering your classroom or duty?

Suggested response:

Make sure the person knows:

• The primary and alternate emergency exits
• Where emergency materials or rosters are located
• How to call the office or request assistance
• Any students who may need additional support during an emergency
• Where the group should report during an evacuation
• Any special safety concern related to the assignment

Pay particular attention to:

• Substitutes who may not have received emergency information
• Staff members covering unfamiliar classrooms or duties
• Emergency folders that are missing or difficult to locate
• Coverage changes made quickly during the school day
• Staff assuming the substitute already knows the building procedures
• Temporary assignments where accountability responsibilities are unclear

A short safety briefing can prevent confusion later.

The next time someone covers your classroom, duty, or supervision assignment, take one minute to provide a quick safety handoff.

Ask yourself:

• Do they know the emergency exits?
• Do they know where the roster or emergency information is located?
• Do they know how to contact the office?
• Do they know about any students who may need additional assistance?

Coverage should include safety information, not only the daily assignment.