School Lockdown and Active Threat Response¶

When a school or university campus enters a lockdown due to an active threat, intruder, or nearby police activity, executing proper shelter-in-place procedures preserves life. Understand the protocol whether you are a student, teacher, or parent awaiting news.

Classroom and Office Lockdown Steps (Run, Hide, Fight)¶

1. Hide and Lock Down (If Evacuation Path Is Blocked)¶

• Lock and Barricade Doors: Immediately lock classroom doors. Block doorways using heavy teacher desks, filing cabinets, chairs, and door-stop wedges.
• Turn Off Lights and Cover Windows: Turn off overhead classroom lighting, close window blinds, and cover door vision panels with paper if safe to do so.
• Silence All Devices: Turn mobile phones to silent mode (disable vibration motors completely) so ringtones or vibration hums do not reveal your location.
• Spread Out and Remain Quiet: Move away from doors and interior windows. Sit against solid concrete walls. Do not cluster together in one corner.

2. Run / Evacuate (If a Clear Safe Exit Exists)¶

• If you are in an open hallway, cafeteria, or outdoor courtyard with a direct, safe exit route away from gunfire, evacuate immediately.
• Leave heavy backpacks and personal belongings behind. Keep hands visible and unclenched above your shoulders when encountering law enforcement officers.

3. Fight (Absolute Last Resort)¶

• If an active attacker breaches your locked space, act aggressively to disrupt and disarm the attacker using physical force, heavy objects, fire extinguishers, or group action.

Guidance for Parents and Guardians¶

• Do Not Drive to the School Immediately: Rushing to campus blocks emergency vehicle access, clogs traffic arterial roads, and interferes with SWAT and paramedic response.
• Wait for Official Reunification Communications: Monitor official school district text alerts, broadcast news, or police department channels for designated off-campus reunification locations.
• Bring Valid Identification: Bring government-issued photo identification to the reunification center to pick up your child once law enforcement completes site clear sweeps.