DIVISIONAL GUIDELINES for LOCKDOWN and HOLD AND SECURE PROCEDURES

What’s New? Divisional policy Revised divisional procedures Addition of Hold and Secure Checklists

RETSD Lockdown Policy The River East Transcona School Division believes the best learning and teaching takes place in a safe, caring and respectful work environment. The division recognizes its responsibility to promote and maintain such environments for students, staff and the school community. RETSD complies with the provincial Safe Schools Regulations including those pertaining to lockdowns.

DEFINITIONS: Lockdown Refers to the restriction of movement of students and staff due to a threat of violence within the building. The objective of a lockdown is to secure occupants out of sight and in a safe location in the event of an active threat where serious injury or death is imminent or occurring.

Hold and Secure Refers to a partial lockdown where all exterior doors are locked and monitored due to a threat of violence or other dangerous situation occurring nearby the building. The objective of hold and secure is to maintain the safety of occupants by controlling who enters and leaves the building.

Rationale and Purpose: Maintain safe environments for staff and students Provincial Requirements: Hold practice drills at least twice per year, once each term or semester Report serious incidents involving lockdown or hold and secure Review lockdown/hold and secure plans annually

Highlights of New Divisional Procedures Division Changes: Any staff member can activate a lockdown or hold and secure procedure if Admin is not immediately available by announcing: “Lockdown the school now” or “Hold & secure the school now”. A prepared script placed by the PA or phone is recommended.

An auditory announcement and/or visual indicator must be used to notify staff and students inside and outside the building. Students and staff in open areas should choose the closest proximity option and make their way to the nearest classroom or office or evacuate the building.

Lockdown - all exterior doors remain as is at the time of the lockdown. Hold and Secure – all exterior doors will be locked and monitored by staff closest to school exits.

Call 911 and notify the Admin Office as soon as it is safe to do so. Senior Admin will inform your evacuation site, neighboring schools and daycares, Maintenance and Transportation. (Template requesting information will be sent.)

Ignore all bells including fire alarms unless there is clear evidence of a fire. Hold and Secure – students outside the school building should be allowed entry if it is safe to do so.

Close blinds and cover windows as much as possible. Ending the lockdown or hold & secure – do not open doors until Admin says: “The lockdown is over” or “The hold and secure is over”

School Lockdown Plans *Need to revisit your school lockdown plans with the new procedures in mind.

Also, consider the following… Locking classroom or office doors - what if they don’t lock? Washrooms – what should staff or students do if they’re caught in a washroom? Open areas – what should you do if you’re caught in an open area of the school? Students with special needs – e.g., mobility issues, blind, hard of hearing Evacuation site – what if it’s also in lockdown?

Other Stakeholders Parents and Guardians: Need to be informed annually of school safety procedures including lockdown and hold and secure practices including the following: School’s evacuation site and Designated parent location to receive information during a lockdown/hold and secure event

Other Stakeholders In-School Daycares Must be fully informed and trained in school safety procedures Should participate in practice drills

Other Stakeholders Substitute Teachers Must be provided with all emergency information including lockdown and hold and secure procedures upon arrival to school Keys to the classroom must also be provided in the event of a lockdown

Other Stakeholders School Volunteers Should be provided with emergency information including lockdown and hold and secure procedures Should participate in practice drills

School Lockdown Plans / Emergency Preparedness Prolonged Lockdown Periods Washroom requirements Water Student medications

Emergency Package for Police Contact information Keys Floor plans Evacuation locations

Media All calls are directed to Superintendent/CEO A designated location away from the building where media can obtain information Separate from the designated parent location

Practice Drills Two lockdown and one hold and secure drill will be practiced each school year EVERYONE in the building will participate Staff, students, parents, neighboring schools and Admin Office will be informed in advance that a drill is being held Practice will include times outside of regular classes (e.g., recess, lunch, class change) Short debriefing with staff in order to gather information toward improving the lockdown/hold and secure plan

Lockdown/Hold and Secure Report Use the revised template for drills Use the serious incident reporting form for real events

NEXT STEPS: TRAINING PLAN School staff including substitute teachers and volunteers Daycare staff and lunch supervisors Students including student visitors from other schools Parents/guardians Divisional staff including transportation, maintenance and the Admin Office

Supporting Documents for Lockdown/Hold & Secure Preparation Checklist for Lockdown/Hold & Secure Training Plan Components for Lockdown/Hold & Secure Lockdown Emergency Checklist Hold and Secure Checklist Contact Information Template Drill Report Form for Lockdown/Hold & Secure

Information Required by Admin Office: Template completion for contact information Emergency plan attached Questions: Contact Joan Trubyk