Know and follow the policies and procedures of your district school board.
- Notify staff as follows: “This is a (name of school) emergency. The school is
now in a lockdown mode.”
- Lock all classroom doors.
- Lock all exterior doors.
- Follow normal Crisis Communications procedures.
- Take attendance in each room. Note those who are absent and notify the
office immediately. If the office does not respond immediately, wait until they
make contact with you.
- Teachers should remain calm and reassure students that the emergency is
under control.
- Lunchroom supervisors and hall monitors should follow these procedures in
the cafeteria if the lockdown occurs during the lunch hour.
- Keep everyone facing away from any glass and doors where possible.
- Pull shades or drapes if appropriate. This will depend on the nature of the
crisis.
- Ensure that you can communicate visually with police if necessary.
- Don’t release anyone, except by the direction of the principal or designate or
the police.
- Do not release students or staff to restrooms or lockers.
- Do not use radio, TV, or cell phones in classrooms.
- Everyone should lie on the floor if gunshots are heard.
- Call the school office with vital information (e.g. I see a person in the NW
hallway etc.).
- Non-teaching staff will report to a previously designated location (i.e. main
office, library).
- Prepare students for staying in a ‘lockdown’ mode for an extensive period of
time.
- Contact transportation to advise staff of the situation.
- Only open the doors when an ‘All Clear’ or ‘Release Code’ is given.
- Have a consistent message for parents who are calling the school during the
lockdown.
- Adult students and visitors are required to obey lockdown procedure
instructions while on board property.
- Ask teachers to identify students who are NOT in the building during the
lockdown procedure.
(Source: Toronto District School Board)