PARENT GUIDANCE
In the event of a live incident, parents may have questions about their role.
A Lockdown is called when there is something dangerous inside of the building. Students and staff are trained to enter or remain in a room that can be locked, and maintain silence. A Lockdown is only initiated when there is an active threat inside or very close to the building.
Should Parents come to the school
during a lockdown?
The natural inclination for parents is to go to the school during a Lockdown. Understandable, but perhaps problematic.
If there is a threat inside the building, law enforcement will be responding. It is unlikely that parents will be granted access to the building or even the campus. If parents are already in the school, they will be instructed to Lockdown as well.
Should Parents text their students?
The school recognizes the importance of communication between parents and students during a Lockdown event.
Parents should be aware though, during the initial period of a Lockdown, it may not be safe for students to text their
parents. As the situation resolves, students may be asked to update their parents on a regular basis. In some cases, students may be evacuated and transported off-site for a student-parent reunification.
What about unannounced drills?
The school may conduct unsched-
uled drills, however it is highly dis-
couraged to conduct one without announcing that it as a drill. That’s
called an unannounced drill and can
cause undue concern and stress.
Parents should recognize that the
school will always inform students that it is a drill during the initial announcement.
It’s important to differentiate between a drill and an exercise. A drill is used to create the “Muscle Memory” associ-
ated with a practiced action. There is no simulation of an event; this is simply performing the action. An exercise sim-
ulates an actual event to test the capacity of personnel and equipment.
Can Parents observe or participate in the drills?
The school welcomes parents who wish to observe or participate in drills.