School Safety Protocols

In the event of a school emergency you will receive direct contact from the school.  This will take place using email, text, and or phone calls.  As time allows, the school website and social media handles will also be updated.  Our school has an Emergency Response Plan that follows District, State, and Federal guidelines.  The national incident command model is part of our plan to best share resources with district, local, and federal agencies.  Staff are trained on the School Emergency Response Plan and it is reviewed by our School Community Council.  Throughout the school year our school practices 7 fire drills, 2 lockdown drills, and 1 earthquake drill.  Last month our school encountered a Shelter In Place Protocol.  Below are graphics that explain our Shelter In Place, Lockdown, and Lockdown with Cover Protocols.

Classroom emergency bags are located in each classroom at Driggs.  These bags contain food and water as well as other emergency supplies.  These bags also contain student contact lists for each family in the classroom.  Thank you to our PTA and families for stocking these kits each year so we can all be prepared in the event of an emergency.

Safety protocols are put into practice to ensure student safety.

The first type of protocol is called a Shelter in Place protocol. A Shelter in Place is initiated by police or school administration when there is a potential threat to student safety off campus. For example, local police may require a school to initiate a Shelter in Place if there is police activity in a nearby neighborhood.

During a Shelter in Place, students and staff are brought inside the building and all exterior doors are locked. School activities are allowed to proceed as normal inside the school.

The front door of the school is manned by a school administrator or police officer during the Shelter in Place. Unless otherwise directed, parents and visitors will not be allowed on the campus until the protocol is lifted. Depending on the circumstance, a Shelter in Place may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. If the protocol extends beyond the end of the school day, parents will receive communication regarding pick up accommodations and any disrupted bus schedules.

If there is a threat to student safety on campus, a school may be placed on Lockdown. This protocol requires all students, staff and approved visitors to move to the nearest room and lock the door.

There are many reasons why a school could be placed on Lockdown. Suspicious activity on or adjacent to the school campus may warrant extra precautions to keep students and staff safe. Additionally, situations inside the school may cause a Lockdown.

Most classroom lessons and activities are allowed to continue during a Lockdown, but the door will not be opened for anyone. Emergency personnel will knock and announce themselves before unlocking the door from the outside.

A Lockdown with Cover is initiated if there is a direct threat to student safety on the campus. As with a regular Lockdown protocol, all students, staff and approved visitors will move to the nearest room and lock the door.

All classroom activities are halted, and students and staff will take cover in an area of the room that is least visible from the door and exterior windows. Everyone will remain absolutely quiet during a Lockdown with Cover.

This protocol is initiated as quickly as possible when law enforcement or school administration perceive a direct threat to students and staff, such as a burglary or an individual looking to cause harm. Emergency personnel will knock and announce themselves before unlocking and opening classroom doors. It is very important that all cellphone communication cease during a Lockdown with Cover.

Communication during emergency situations will occur as quickly as possible. The school’s phone system will be put into operation, and district social media accounts will provide updates on the situation as it unfolds. Please remember that information will not be relayed until all students are safely accounted for and all information is accurate.

Please make sure your contact information is up to date with your school. Let the front office staff know if you change your email address, cellphone number or home phone number. Automated messaging systems pull contact information provided by parents and students.

All staff members are trained on emergency procedures. If you have questions about certain safety protocols at your school, please contact our principal directly. For security reasons, we do not give out details of what procedures we follow in every crisis situation. However, the district and individual schools regularly review emergency procedures to stay prepared for crisis situations.