LOCKDOWN/EVACUATION DRILL
Parents, we take the safety of your child very seriously. There are many strategies we have added over the past months to enhance security, including increased camera coverage, more security officers, and updated training for all school staff. Especially in light of the tragic event in Texas a few months ago, we are refining the way we train for responding if there were to be an active shooter. No longer is it the guidance to have all students go into a lockdown if there were an active shooter incident, but rather to choose whether to evacuate the building or lockdown based on where the incident is occurring in the building.
Next week, our schools will have their first "lockdown" drill of the school year. However, please note that we are modifying this drill to be a lockdown/evacuation drill instead and as we practice these during the year, we will modify the situations to help our staff and students know what to do in a range of situations. We do not announce the exact time of the drill in order that it can be a better practice situation, but we will let you know when one will be happening soon. This is your notice that one will take place at each school next week.
Parents, we take the safety of your child very seriously. There are many strategies we have added over the past months to enhance security, including increased camera coverage, more security officers, and updated training for all school staff. Especially in light of the tragic event in Texas a few months ago, we are refining the way we train for responding if there were to be an active shooter. No longer is it the guidance to have all students go into a lockdown if there were an active shooter incident, but rather to choose whether to evacuate the building or lockdown based on where the incident is occurring in the building.
Next week, our schools will have their first "lockdown" drill of the school year. However, please note that we are modifying this drill to be a lockdown/evacuation drill instead and as we practice these during the year, we will modify the situations to help our staff and students know what to do in a range of situations. We do not announce the exact time of the drill in order that it can be a better practice situation, but we will let you know when one will be happening soon. This is your notice that one will take place at each school next week.
According to state law, students younger than 1st grade do not participate in any lockdown drills for the first two months of the school year. They will participate in drills we have later in the school year. Please know that we also are thoughtful in our drills that they balance being prepared while trying not to scare the students in any way.
In addition to the lockdown/evacuation drills, we practice fire drills, tornado drills, and earthquake drills according to state expectations. Those are not usually announced in advance since they do not cause the same worry as the lockdown/evacuation drills do for some.
We will continue throughout this year to review and update our security strategies to make and maintain our schools a very safe place for our children. We appreciate your partnership with us as we ensure school is a safe place for learning and growing.
In addition to the lockdown/evacuation drills, we practice fire drills, tornado drills, and earthquake drills according to state expectations. Those are not usually announced in advance since they do not cause the same worry as the lockdown/evacuation drills do for some.
We will continue throughout this year to review and update our security strategies to make and maintain our schools a very safe place for our children. We appreciate your partnership with us as we ensure school is a safe place for learning and growing.
REQUIRED ANNUAL STUDENT FORMS
Parents, each year there are forms that are required to be completed for each student near the beginning of the year. To make this process easier and quicker for you and for us, we have moved to a digital format this year. Please take some time over the next few days to go here to complete the required forms. These forms need to be completed no later than August 26th for each student. To complete the forms, visit the Parents section on our HCPS website and hit "Required Annual Student Forms".