Emergencies
In Case of any Emergency, Call:
- Campus Security: 202-939-8812 (x8812)
- Switchboard: 202-939-8800 (x8800)
- Main Office: 202-939-8848 (x8848)
After Hours, Call:
- Security Guard/Emergency 2-Way Radio (202-939-8812, x8812) or
- Trey Holloway (202-939-8821) or
- Susan Epps (cell: 202-577-8928) or
- Marjo Talbott (cell: 202-494-5719; home: 202-686-4130)
Give your name, location, and nature of the emergency
In any case of emergency the Main Office will make sure that the appropriate division director has been notified of the situation and vice versa.
Inclement Weather and Emergency Messages
When inclement weather or another emergency prevents the opening of school, requires early closing, or activates an alternate school schedule, information will be available on the school website homepage (www.maret.org). Parents/Guardians' phone numbers and/or email addresses also will be used as appropriate for emergency notifications.
Please keep your emergency email and phone contacts current. Changes to this information should be made online by logging into the Parents/Guardians Portal (click on Community, then Parents/Guardians at the top of the homepage). If you need assistance, contact Director of Technology and Information Services Jean-Philippe Fontaine at 202-939-8807 or jpfontaine@maret.org.
In cases of inclement weather, announcements will be made over the radio stations WTOP 103.5 FM/820 AM, WASH 97.1 FM, and on television (NBC channel 4, FOX channel 5, and ABC channel 7). We will make an independent decision about closing school due to weather conditions, although if the DC public schools are closed, Maret may be closed. We will try to make the decision of “No School” by 5:30 a.m. If an announcement is NOT posted to the website or announcement line, families should assume that school is operating on schedule.
In inclement weather or other emergencies, parents/guardians should always use their own judgment about road conditions and the safety of bringing their children in to school and picking them up early.

How to Talk to Children About Difficult Topics
Ask clarifying questions to get a better understanding of what your child is asking.
Be developmentally appropriate. Don’t volunteer too much information, as this may be overwhelming. Instead, try to answer your child’s questions. Do your best to answer honestly and clearly, but do not give more information than is age-appropriate and/or necessary. Instead of tackling a conversation or a question in one conversation, you can always circle back if needed.
Invite your child to ask questions. It is okay if you cannot answer everything; being available for your child is what matters.
Don’t let your own anxiety take over. Parents can get worried about explaining everything rather than just answering the specific question that was posed.
Avoid overly focusing on the subject. Gauge how much you talk about the topic depending on the age of your child. Young children may not need to know much.
Share what you are doing to stay safe. An important way to reassure children is to emphasize the safety precautions that you are taking.
Empower children and help them feel in control. Help them figure out what they can do to manage their emotions or change a situation.
Avoid excessive blaming. When tensions run high, sometimes we try to blame someone or something. It is important to avoid stereotyping or negative comments about a specific group of people.
Monitor television viewing and social media. Try to avoid watching or listening to information that may be upsetting when children are present.
Stick to routine. Structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes are an essential part of keeping children happy and healthy.
Reassure children they are loved, safe, and protected by you and others.
Resources for Talking About the News and Traumatic Events with Children and Youth
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News
Child Mind Institute
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event
Child Mind Institute
Explaining the News to Our Kids
Common Sense Media
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
National Association of School Psychologists
How to Help Children and Youth Process the Capitol Insurrection
Spark and Stitch Institute
Teaching Resources to Help Students Make Sense of the Rampage at the Capitol
The New York Times and a variety of educational organizations
Leading Conversations After Crisis
Teaching Tolerance
Pandemic-Related Resources
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
National Association of School Psychologists
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
Child Mind Institute (4-Minute Video)
How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus
Harvard Medical School
Talking to Teens and Tweens About the Coronavirus
The New York Times
Speaking Up Against Racism Around the New Coronavirus<
Teaching Tolerance
Countering COVID-19 Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers
National Association of School Psychologists
Emergency Guidelines
- Introduction
- Bus or Field Trip Emergency
- Evacuation/Lockdown/Shelter
- Fire
- Missing/Lost Student
- Serious Injury or Illness
- Severe Weather/Natural Disaster
- Spilled Body Fluids
- Suspicious Object
- Suspicious Person on Campus
- Emergency Supplies
- New Panel