Emergency Procedures

Typhoon Signals and Heavy Rain Warnings

It is timely to remind you of the actions required to be taken by staff at school, as directed by senior management, during Typhoon Signal Warnings and Rainstorm Warnings.  It is important to note that as a school, we are bound by the regulations and directives issued by the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) of Hong Kong.  In all cases, our school will abide by the warnings as required by the Hong kong Government and as issued through the Hong Kong Observatory.  There will be situations when EMB directives will override our school policy.

The EMB will sometimes issue specific notices of closure to selected districts. Once again, we are bound by such decisions.  As principal, I also have the authority to close our school should conditions prevail that are deemed to be a threat to the safety of our students and / or school staff. Should such specific closures be required, EMB will be notified the resulting announcement will be made through EMB.  As soon as we are advised that either our Kindergarten or Primary / Secondary School is to be closed, we will post a notice on the front page of our school web site and initiate an answer phone message on the Kindergarten and Primary / Secondary School telephone systems.  Where at all possible, please make your helpers aware of these practices.  Please note that all decisions taken prior to the start of our Kindergarten day and Primary / Secondary School day, concerning the following Typhoon Signals or Rainstorm Warnings will be determined by the 6:15 am announcement via the Hong Kong Government.

Typhoon Signals – Actions Required

Typhoon Signal Number 1:  DBIS Kindergarten, Primary  and Secondary Schools will operate as normal.

Typhoon Signal Number 3:  DBIS Kindergarten will be closed. DBIS Primary and Secondary Schools will operate as normal.

Typhoon Signal Number 8 or Above: DBIS Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary Schools will be closed.

Lowering to Typhoon Signal Number 3: DBIS Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary Schools will remain closed for the remainder of that day. Our Kindergarten will remain closed with Typhoon Signal Number 3 in force on the following day. The Primary and Secondary Schools will open with Typhoon Signal Number 3 in force on the following day.

Lowering to Typhoon Signal Number 1: DBIS Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary Schools will operate as normal with Typhoon Signal Warning Number 1 in force on the following day.Signals Being Raised During Kindergarten / School Hours: In the event of the Typhoon Warning Signals being raised during the morning in Kindergarten to a Typhoon Signal Number 3, parents or helpers are encouraged to collect their children from classrooms. Classes will continue and it is expected that children will be picked up from Kindergarten classes at 12:00 pm. Staff will maintain a collection register and will continue to care for children until they have been safely collected.

In the event of the Typhoon Warning Signals being raised during the day in the Primary or Secondary School to a Typhoon Signal Number 8 or higher, parents or helpers are encouraged to collect their children from classrooms. Classes will continue and it is expected that children will be picked up from Primary and Secondary School classes by or at 3:00 pm.  Staff will maintain a collection register and will continue to care for children until they have been safely collected.

In both cases, DBIS staff will try to contact family or emergency contacts once Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary School classes have ended for the day.

Please be sure to update our school office of any changes to telephone numbers and any emergency contact information.

Rainstorm Warnings – Actions Required

Amber Rainstorm Warning: DBIS Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary Schools will operate as normal.

Red and Black Rainstorm Warning: If a red or black rainstorm warning is issued before the start of our school day, DBIS Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary will be closed.

In the event of a red or black rainstorm warning being issued during the day in Kindergarten, Primary or Secondary School, parents or helpers may wish to collect their children from classrooms. Classes will continue and it it expected that children will be picked up from Kindergarten and / or Primary or Secondary School classes at the usual end of school day time. Staff will maintain a collection register and will continue to care for children until they have been safely collected.

Thank you all for your assistance with these safety procedures.

To view the Hong Kong Observatory weather page please click here.