It’s likely you’ve heard about the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida yesterday. Our hearts go out to all of the students, staff, families and community who are suffering as a result of this tragic event.
Such incidents remind all of us of the important work we do to ensure our schools remain a safe place where students can thrive.
In recent months, we’ve invested a significant portion of our Technology and Safety Levy funds to maintain School Messenger, initiate Safe Schools Alert, install security cameras on our buses and throughout our school campus, and install an electronic card lock system at MVES and LBHS, allowing us to lockdown our buildings with a push of a button. In addition, we are in the process of initiating the installation of ADA accessible entry/exit ways and equipping all of our buses with emergency bus kits.
More specifically, in response to the recent escalation of school shootings, our Emergency Operations Planning Committee will be facilitating Active Shooter training for all students, staff, and parents. The plan includes:
February/March:
- Building Walk-Throughs/Threat Assessment
- Safe Schools – Active Shooter training for all staff and students in LANCE protocol
- All student and staff training using Active Shooter table top exercises
April/May:
- Coordinated Active Shooter exercises with first responders
- Active Shooter Training for Parents
For those not familiar with the LANCE protocol, Mike Dingle, NC ESD Crisis Co-op manager, former State Trooper, and certified ALICE trainer has assembled a collection of best practices that he refers to as LANCE, which stands for:
LOCKDOWN or OUT
ALERT (Internal Notification)
NOTIFY (External Notification – First Responders)
COMMIT (Fight)
EVACUATE (Run and Hide)
The order of the action items is adjustable knowing each event is different and will require our students and staff to think critically and act in support of their own safety and the safety of others.
We look forward to providing opportunities for our parents to learn more about the protocol and their role in such an event.
For those seeking support as you think about how you talk with your child about school shootings, violence, and/or other threats, we’ve included a link you may find helpful: National Association of School Psychologists.
Please hug your child…
Sincerely,
Tom