Safety Procedures

Each school has a plan with specified roles and responsibilities for handling various types of emergencies. 

Specific safety procedures will be followed, depending on the type of emergency. Every situation is unique, so school staff may adjust their response to address student safety first. 

A school implements one of the following procedures in response to a safety issue or emergency:

Hold

A Hold is a non-critical safety procedure used to keep students and staff in their current rooms or areas, limiting movement and keeping hallways or common spaces clear. 

During a Hold:

• Students and staff remain in their current rooms or locations.
• Hallways and common areas are cleared to allow staff or responders to address the situation.
• Normal instruction continues inside classrooms.
• Access to certain areas of the school is temporarily restricted until the situation is resolved.

Holds are most often used for situations such as a medical emergency or hallway altercation, when it is safest to keep students in classrooms and protect the privacy of others.

Secure & Teach

A Secure & Teach is a non-critical safety procedure used to secure, isolate, and protect students and staff from non-imminent threats or incidents in the vicinity of the school. 

During a Secure & Teach:

• All exterior doors are locked to prevent entry or exit.
• Access to the school site is restricted until the all-clear is given.
• Normal classroom instruction and activities continue inside the building.
• Students and staff remain inside, safe and secure, while the situation outside is addressed.

Secure & Teach is most commonly used when there is police activity, a suspicious person, or another safety concern in the neighborhood, but no direct threat inside the school.

Lockdown 

A lockdown is a critical safety procedure used to respond to imminent threats to students and staff inside or near a school building. Lockdowns may be ordered by law enforcement, Pasco School District administrators, or school staff.

During a lockdown:

• Normal activities immediately cease.
• Students and staff remain in classrooms or secure areas behind locked doors.
• All reasonable measures are taken to stay quiet, low, and out of sight.
• Windows and blinds are closed and lights are turned off until the all-clear is given.

Evacuation

A school evacuation may occur in the event of a safety threat in which it would be safer for students and staff to be out of the building. Students are guided to an emergency assembly area.

Shelter in Place

A school may use shelter-in-place when hazardous materials are released into the atmosphere. Classroom heating and air vents are turned off and covered. Windows are closed.

Off-site Reunification

In the rare instance that students are transported to an off-site location due to an emergency, families will be notified of where and when to pick up their children. We will notify you using our emergency communication systems and the contact information you have previously provided to the school.

When picking up your student at a reunification site, you will be asked to show photo ID.

Please have patience and follow all directions by school staff.