In many schools, lockdown drills and fire drills are important so that kids stay safe, and schools are expected to have 13 drills each year. Eight of the drills are fire drills, four are lockdown drills, and one is an early release drill.
To prepare students for lockdown drills, teachers show them where to hide in the classroom in case an intruder were to be in school. During this time, teachers make sure the door to the classroom is locked and a black-out shade is pulled down. The students have to be quiet and sit patiently until security or police give the “all clear”.
During fire drills, teachers evacuate the school with their class and go to an assigned destination a safe distance away from the building, such as the sports fields or the sidewalk along School Street.
Practicing will help reduce panic and confusion in case of a real emergency. Additionally, these drills also help staff know if any door, fire alarm, or emergency lighting needs to be fixed or replaced.
“I believe that drills, especially lockdown drills, are crucial for schools to practice because anything can happen at any moment of the school day, whether the threat is inside or outside of the school,” said Samantha Moscoso Farfan, a seventh grader.
“Emergency drills are important because they help keep everyone safe,” said Erik Kelt, the school’s principal. “Just like wearing a seatbelt every time you’re in a car, drills prepare us for situations we hope never happen but need to be ready for. When we practice emergency drills at school, students and staff learn what to do, where to go, and how to stay calm. This reduces fear and confusion and helps everyone respond quickly and responsibly. Drills also help adults identify ways to improve safety plans so we can better protect our school community.”
Mr. Kelt also explained that administrators have to connect with the school’s emergency response team to determine who will be responsible for certain zones in the school and who will assist staff and students during the drill. “There is also a lot of coordination with our local law enforcement, who have always done an excellent job in supporting the safety of our school.”
Teachers learn how to support students through planning and practicing drills alongside students. “This helps them learn how to give calm, clear directions, monitor student behavior, and respond to questions or concerns in the moment,” Mr. Kelt said.
By Sara Cortes, Grade 6