Lockout and Lockdown Procedures

In the event that precautionary measures must be taken, or during/after an emergency event, please familiarize yourself with each term/action.

Do not come to the school during an emergency. The campus may not be safe and your vehicle may block emergency crews. Information will be released through district communication tools such as School Messenger, websites and social media.

Emergencies

Emergencies can happen at any time. Initial emergency response efforts are dynamic in nature and change as the situation dictates. Individuals must be prepared to adapt as additional information is gathered.

Lockout

• Sealing off the school’s exterior points of entry to insulate from a threat that is exterior and not directed at the school.
• During this time, no one would be allowed to enter or exit the school, and if meetings are disrupted by the initiation of a lockout, they will need to be rescheduled for a later time/date.
• Lockouts are typically initiated by the police or school administration and last for only a few minutes, but may last longer until the outside situation is contained.

Lockdown

Lockdown is initiated when there is a threat to the campus or school. All threats are taken seriously. In the interest of student safety, lockdown may be initiated while the nature of the threat is evaluated. Staff are trained to lock classroom doors, shut off the lights, close the blinds, and to continually assess the situation. Staff and students transition to run, hide, or fight based upon the situation presented.

Shelter in Place

• Although media tends to use these terms interchangeably, a Shelter-in-Place is not the same as a Lockdown or Lockout. Shelter-in-Place is a response to a chemical release or hazardous material (hazmat) incident occurring outside the building.
• In a Shelter-in-Place, the HVAC unit will be shut off, and staff are trained to move students to a predesignated area. Windows and doors will be sealed with plastic materials to limit the amount of outside air coming into the building.
• Shelter-in-Place incidents are typically initiated by the police or fire department and can last up to a few hours. If a Shelter-in-Place is initiated, do not come to the school or call the main phone line. Staff will be standing by for instructions from police/fire and will communicate with families as soon as it is safe to do so.