1. DIVISIONAL GUIDELINES for LOCKDOWN and HOLD AND SECURE PROCEDURES

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.)

11. 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.

12. 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”

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

14. 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?

15. 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

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

17. 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

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

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

20. Emergency Package for Police
Contact information
Keys
Floor plans
Evacuation locations

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. 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

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