Ontario School District - Standard Response Protocol

Standard Response Protocol

Crisis isn’t a choice. Response is.

The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s programs for crisis response and post-crisis reunification are used in more than 30,000 schools, districts, departments, agencies, organizations and communities around the world. They are created through the research-based best practices of school administrators, psychologists, public space safety experts, families, and first responders. We’re a powerful conduit uniting this work.

Additional Information

Parent Guidance:

Parent Guidance:

In an Emergency, Do Not Call or Go to Your Child’s School

Even though it seems like the right thing to do, calling or going to your child’s school can actually hinder emergency response protocol and personnel.

During an actual emergency, school staff will be busy responding to the emergency and addressing the needs of students. Calling the school will only tie up phone lines that must be used for emergency communications with staff and emergency responders. We understand that you will want to check-in with your student. To do so in a manner that impacts phone lines less, stick to sending a quick text incrementally, i.e.: Have your student send a thumbs-up emoji every 15-30 minutes.

Please do not go to your child’s school unless you have received direction from the school or district officials. Vehicular traffic around the school can impede the ability of emergency responders from entering/exiting the campus.

Be mindful that misinformation can easily spread if a crisis situation occurs at your child's school

Because misinformation can spread so quickly, it is our responsibility to provide you with timely information and updates.

Please do not rely on information shared on social media if it does not come directly from the Ontario School District. We make it a priority to share important updates as we receive them. These updates can be found on our website, our OSD8C social media channels, and the Remind system.

**WHAT IS STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOL?**

SECURE

“Get Inside. lock outside doors”

Secure is called when there is something dangerous outside of the building. Students and staff are brought into the building and the outside doors will be locked. The school might display the Building is Secured poster on entry doors or nearby windows. Inside, it will be business as usual.

Should parents come to the school during a secure event?
Probably not. Every effort is made to conduct classes as normal during a secure event. Additionally, parents may be asked to stay outside during a Secure event.

What if parents need to pick up their student?
Depending on the situation, it may not be safe to release the student. As the situation evolves, Secure might change to a Monitored Entry and/or Controlled Release.

Will parents be notified when a school goes into Secure?

When a secure event is brief or the hazard is non-violent, like a wild animal on the playground, there may not be a need to notify parents while the Secure is in place. With longer or more potentially dangerous events, the school or district will notify parents that the school has increased their security.

LOCKDOWN

“locks, lights, out of Sight”

A Lockdown is called when there is something dangerous inside of the building. Students and staff are trained to enter or remain in a room that can be locked, and maintain silence.
A Lockdown is only initiated when there is an active threat inside or very close to the building.

Should parents come to the school during a Lockdown?
The natural inclination for parents is to go to the school during a Lockdown. Understandable, but perhaps problematic.
If there is a threat inside the building, law enforcement will be responding. It is unlikely that parents will be granted access to the building or even the campus. If parents are already in the school, they will be instructed to Lockdown as well.

Should parents text their student?

The school recognizes the importance of communication between parents and students during a Lockdown event. Parents should be aware though, during the initial period of a Lockdown, it may not be safe for students to text their parents. As the situation resolves, students may be asked to update their parents on a regular basis. In some cases, students may be evacuated and transported off-site for a student-parent reunification.

What about unannounced drills?
The school may conduct unscheduled drills, however it is highly discouraged to conduct one without announcing that it as a drill. That’s called an unannounced drill and can cause undue concern and stress

Parents should recognize that the school will always inform students that it is a drill during the initial announcement. It’s important to differentiate between a drill and an exercise. A drill is used to create the “Muscle Memory” associated with a practiced action. There is no simulation of an event; this is simply performing the action. An exercise simulates an actual event to test the capacity of personnel and equipment.

Can parents observe or participate in the drills?
The school welcomes parents who wish to observe or participate in drills.

EVACUATE

“To a location”

Parents should wait for the reunification location information. You will be able to collect your student at the designated reunification location. Please make sure your student has checked in with their teacher before taking them home. This is essential to ensure that all students are accounted for in an emergency situation.

Students are trained to:
• Leave stuff behind if required to
• If possible, bring their phone
• Follow instructions

Adults and staff are trained to:
• Bring roll sheet and Go Bag (unless instructed not to bring anything with them, dependent on reason for evacuation.)
• Lead students to Evacuation location
• Account for students and adults
• Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.