When an emergency occurs—whether it’s a severe weather warning, a precautionary lockdown, or another unexpected event—families want one thing above all: timely, accurate information they can trust. At Collier County Public Schools (CCPS), that trust is something we work to earn every day, and protect with every message we send.
The Role of Communication in Emergencies
Effective emergency communication is about more than simply relaying facts—it’s about providing comfort and reassurance. For serious matters, such as air conditioning outages or arrests on school campuses, parents will often receive a phone message and/or email from the school principal.
In a critical situation, such as a school lockdown, speed and clarity are essential. Families will receive a text message within moments of an incident being confirmed. Updates will continue to be provided throughout the event. Even a brief message that says, “CCPS is aware of the current lockdown at your school. Please remain calm. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is investigating at this time,” lets parents know we are engaged, responsive, and committed to their child’s safety.
Staying Ahead During Hurricane Season
Now that we are in peak hurricane season, weather events often disrupt school operations. CCPS relies on updates from the National Weather Service in Miami and remains in constant communication with Collier County Emergency Management.
In the event of a weather emergency, CCPS uses every communication channel at its disposal to reach people quickly and reliably: text, email, phone, social media, district and school websites, and local news outlets. These tools work together so that a parent who misses a phone call can find the same information in their email or on social media. Depending on the situation, messages may include what is happening, what actions are being taken, and when families can expect another update.
Be Prepared
Trust doesn’t start in the middle of an emergency—it begins well before. Effective emergency communication is a two-way street. While CCPS is committed to providing timely and accurate updates, we encourage families to ensure their contact information is current to receive information. At the start of each school year, we ask parents and guardians to complete an Emergency Information Form by logging into the CCPS Portal and visiting Focus. The form ensures we are able to reach our families should an emergency arise.
Our goal is simple. We want families to know they can trust CCPS to keep them informed every step of the way, so that they can focus on what matters most—the safety of their loved ones.