School Safety and Security
Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is a crucial duty that we take very seriously. We are committed to maintaining a secure and supportive environment for everyone on our campus. In collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency officials, we are prepared to take immediate and effective action in the event of an emergency. Through careful planning and ongoing safety measures, we strive to create a place where learning can thrive, free from harm or risk.
The Standard Response Protocol
The Standard Response Protocol was developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation. The protocols are used in over 30,000 schools and municipalities nationwide. They were created through research-based best practices of school administrators, psychologists, public safety experts, families, and first responders. The Standard Response Protocol creates common and consistent language among educators, communities, and first responding agencies.
Depending on the circumstances, a protocol may be implemented without any school functions being disrupted, while others may necessitate changes in dismissal times and might involve local emergency services. We are prepared to care for your children in all of these situations. When we work together, we are all safer.
- HOLD is initiated when there is a safety concern in the hallways of the building. A Hold is used when it is necessary to restrict movement within the school or building. Examples that may prompt a Hold being called include a medical emergency or a physical altercation occuring in the hallway.
- SECURE is initiated when there is a threat OUTSIDE the building. A Secure is often implemented due to emergency situations that take place in the neighborhood close to the schools. Examples that may prompt a Secure being called include a bank robbery near a school, police activity, or a dangerous animal in the area.
- LOCKDOWN is used when there is an active threat or dangerous incident on the campus. Students and staff must find immediate shelter inside the nearest classroom as quickly as possible. Lock the door and turn out the lights. Stay out of the line of sight, and gather in a space so someone in the hallway couldn’t see you when looking through a doorway. Huddle behind large items for extra protection, and consider barricading the doorway if it can be done quickly. Be very quiet. Be prepared to move quickly. Don’t open the door for anyone--stay until law enforcement comes to your classroom and leads you to safety.
- EVACUATE is used to get students and staff out of the building by a route designed to avoid contact with a potential threat, such as a suspicious package, a threatening person in a specific confined area, a bomb threat, or a hazardous material spill. An Evacuation protects staff and students from a threat where the exact location in the building is known.
- SHELTER is issued for severe weather or hazardous material incidents. A Shelter directive is used to relocate students to a safe area away from a potential weather- or HAZMAT-related danger.