These systems may or may not be interrupted during an outage. Other schools may be served by public utility systems and have no problems at all. All schools which have their water systems affected by power outages have been outfitted with a backup generator. When the power goes off, the generator starts up, and an automatic transfer switch transfers the load to the generator. Each generator is exercised weekly under load.
Some schools have battery back up systems for their intercom and telephones.
All schools even without battery back up have at least one line that can take incoming calls. Each school needs to assess their set-up and determine what additional measures may be needed. Many schools have an extended day program where children come to school early or leave late. Each school needs to assess their own program, impacts, and resources for accommodating power interruptions. In some schools not all areas of the campus are affected and it is possible to move a group of children to that area during the outage.