Planned Lockdown Drill

Each year, we are required to conduct a number of “Secure School Responses” to prepare students and staff for various emergency and crisis responses, including Lockdown, Hold and Secure and Shelter in Place.

On Thursday, December 3, we will be conducting our first Lockdown drill of the year during period 2, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting approximately 20 minutes.   At times, drills of this sort may involve a visit by members of the Hamilton Police Service, although that is not anticipated for this particular planned drill.

During the drill, entrance and exit from the school by students, staff or visitors is restricted.  If you are sending your child to school late that day, please plan around this time.  A Lockdown drill typically has students and staff restricted to their rooms behind closed doors, huddled together in a small space within the room for optimal safety.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will carry out only the aspects of the drill that can be done safely using our distancing protocols.  While the emergency procedures will be fully explained to students, students will remain at their desks during the drill to ensure distancing.

An important thing to remember this year throughout the review and drills of all of these procedures is that while every effort should be made to follow the guidance of Public Health as it relates to COVID-19 in the event of any real emergency or crisis that requires us to respond, this advice may not be possible, based on the response required.

You can learn more about HWDSB’s approach to secure schools at:  https://hwdsb.info/secureschools