Emergency Drills

As part of the HWDSB Safe Schools Policy, every year schools are required to conduct a series of Emergency procedures with students and staff to ensure they are prepared in the event of an emergency.  Information regarding these drills are as follows:

• Six fire drills (three in the Fall, three in the Spring)
• Two lockdown drills
  • A lockdown is defined by police as the restriction of movement during the time of a potentially serious, violent threat or violent incident that would endanger the lives of students and staff.
  • used when there is a violent incident or threat of serious violence within the school, or in relation to the school;
  • the threat is inside the school, or is on school property, and poses an immediate threat to the students and staff;
  • follow current lockdown procedures; (see attachment)
  • all movement within the school and into and out of the school is restricted;
• One Shelter in Place drill
  • is used for an environmental, or weather related situation, where it is necessary to keep all occupants within the school to protect them (e.g.. may include chemical spills, blackouts, explosions or extreme weather conditions that may affect student/staff safety such as downed wires during ice storms)
  • People enter and remain in a building with the doors and windows closed;
  • Fans, including heating and air conditioning units, should be turned off to prevent outside air from entering the building, if it is determined that the air intake could pose a health or safety risk for occupants;
  • Normal operations may continue within the building.
• One Hold and Secure drill
  • is used when the school is secured due to an ongoing situation outside and not related to the school that requires all persons to remain in the building (e.g. bank robbery near a school);
  • the school continues to function normally, with the exterior doors locked until the situation is resolved;
  • staff member posted near each entrance to ensure no one leaves the building; (staff will be called to be posted entrances;
  • all movement in and out of the school is restricted;
  • exterior facing windows should be covered or blinds drawn, lights dimmed, where possible.
• One Emergency Evacuation Bomb Threat drill
  • Report or discovery of an explosive device
  • A specific announcement is made to exit the building taking personal belongings (close by) with you
  • Students and staff evacuate the school using designated stairwells and exits
  • Students and staff evacuate to emergency location (Memorial Elementary School)
  • Attendance is taken at the evacuation location

On Wednesday February 1, we will practice our Lockdown drill. Teachers will go over expectations and plans to prepare students. If you have any questions please reach out by emailing me ([email protected]) or calling the school.

Mrs. McCrory, Principal