Sussex Tech school district trains for reunification method

Sussex Technical School District employees attended the Delaware Emergency Management Agency’s comprehensive school safety program Aug. 25 and 26 to promote the statewide adoption of the Standard Reunification Method created by I Love You Guys Foundation.

The foundation was started by Ellen and John Michael Keyes, who lost their daughter Emily in a school shooting. During the crisis she texted her mother Ellen, “I Love You Guys. K” and texted her dad Michael, “I love you guys.”

The program is research- and experience-based, and was developed by school administrators, psychologists, public safety experts and families.

Sussex Technical High School employees who attended the two-day training session, including Glenn Dixon, safety, security and climate officer, will work with the school’s safety team to implement the method. “I found the training to be beneficial, and especially appreciated the hands-on experience of actually going step by step in the reunification process,” said Dixon.

On a statewide basis, Delaware is among the first in the nation to adopt this protocol, considered the gold standard method of reuniting students with their parents/guardians during a crisis. For more, go to iloveuguys.org.

Sussex Vocational Technical School is a public school that prepares Sussex County high school students for their future success in both higher education and workforce environments.