Back then, those were worst-case scenarios. Times have changed, and so have the nature of our emergency drills. Currently, the Indiana Department of Education requires all school corporations to facilitate one manmade disaster drill, such as an intruder exercise, per semester. It is unfortunate that we have to prepare for such a possibility. However, we work to do everything in our power to empower students and staff in the event of a threat to their security.
In the coming weeks, all schools will conduct a Run, Hide, Fight emergency drill. Students will remain in locked classrooms with lights off while staying away from windows and doors. Students and staff will practice their plan and possible escape route.
If escape is not an option, students will be taught to hide out of the shooter’s view. Teachers will practice locking or barricading doors to their hiding place. The drill should last no longer than 20 minutes.
Before the drill occurs, families will receive notifications of the exercise via school newsletters, social media and automated calls. We want parents and caretakers to have all of the pertinent information before we introduce their children to the drills.
We are thankful for the Perry Township School Police Department, which has worked hard with each school to help them make an appropriate emergency plan to fight intruders and protect our students. Planning for the drill has allowed police to re-familiarize themselves with school personnel and the differences of each building.
We hope and pray we never need to use the lessons from these exercises. However, the reality is that we want our students and staff to have a greater chance at staying safe in the face of a threat.
Families should keep an eye out for more information on the exercise in the coming weeks. Anyone who has questions about Run, Hide, Fight should contact their child’s school.
As always, we are committed to keeping every student safe while in our care.