Gold Rush students and staff practice lockdown drills twice a year. The school would go into a lockdown if there was a threat within the school. This differs from a hold (formerly a lockout), which occurs if there is a threat outside of the building, such as a wild animal. During a lockdown students remain seated and silent in their locked classroom. In a hold, students remain within the building, but they are able to proceed with usual routines.
On Wednesday, November 18th students and staff will participate in the lockdown drill with District Security and the Parker Police. We inform students that if they were not in their classroom when a lockdown was announced they would run to the closest room. If they were in the bathroom students are told to remain in a locked stall with their feet up. If they are outside they are directed to run away from the school and find a safe spot until a safe person finds them.
When we signal the drill we use a system that immediately informs both the Parker Police Department and the District. It also announces outside the building that we are in a lockdown. If you are to hear the announcement on Wednesday, please know that this is a scheduled practice.
The National Association of School Psychologists provides some tips for talking with children. They provide seven suggestions shown below. Click here for the full article.
1. Assure Children They Are Safe
2. Make Time to Talk
3. Make Explanations Developmentally Appropriate
4. Review Safety Procedures
5. Observe Children's Emotional State
6. Limit Television Viewing
7. Maintain a Normal Routine
