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Emergency Information

HOLD Protocol

When a HOLD is initiated: A HOLD is initiated when there is a safety concern in the hallways of the building when it is necessary to restrict movement within the school. Examples that may prompt a HOLD being called include a medical emergency or a physical altercation occurring in the hallway.

Students

  • Stay in your classroom and continue with your activities. 
  • Clear the hallways and remain in the classroom or area until the "All Clear" is announced. Follow staff instructions.
  • Do business as usual.

Staff

  • Close and lock the door.
  • Account for students and adults.
  • Continue teaching or working with students as usual within the classroom. Other school staff continue with business as usual.

Parents

  • Know that “Hold” is a protocol to keep hallways clear but classes continue normally.
  • Avoid calling or visiting the school during this protocol. No one is allowed to enter or leave the building during a hold.
  • Wait for updates via text message and/or from the Emergency Information page before taking any action.

SECURE Protocol

When a SECURE is initiated: A SECURE is initiated when there is a threat outside the building. A SECURE is often implemented due to emergency situations that take place in the neighborhood close to the school. Examples that may prompt a SECURE being called include a bank robbery nearby, police activity, or a dangerous animal in the area. 

Students

  • Remain indoors and continue with your usual classroom activities. Return to the inside of the building if you’re outside
  • Do not leave the building until the “All Clear” is given.
  • Follow staff instructions.

Staff

  • Bring everyone indoors. Ensure doors are locked.
  • Increase situational awareness.
  • Account for students and adults.
  • Do business as usual.

Parents

  • Understand that “Secure” means students and staff are safe inside.
  • Do not come to the school or call during this time.
  • Look for official updates via text message and/or the Emergency Information page.

LOCKDOWN Protocol

When a LOCKDOWN is initiated: A LOCKDOWN is used when there is an active threat or dangerous incident on campus. Students and staff must find immediate shelter inside the nearest classroom as quickly as possible. Lock the door and turn out the lights. Stay out of the line of sight and gather in a space so someone in the hallway couldn't see you when looking through a doorway. Huddle behind large items for extra protection, and consider barricading the doorway if it can be done quickly. Be very quiet. Be prepared to move quickly. Don't open the door for anyone--stay until law enforcement comes to your classroom and leads you to safety.

Students

  • Follow staff instructions immediately.
  • Move to the designated area in the classroom; stay out of sight, and remain quiet.
  • Do not open the door.
  • If you are outside the school building, you will not be able to get back inside. If you are outside or off campus, flee the area and find the nearest safe location. Do not return to school.

Staff

  • Bring students into the classroom from the hallway.
  • Lock the classroom door. Turn out the lights. Move away from sight. Maintain silence.
  • Do not open the door.
  • Prepare to evade or defend.

Parents/Guardians

  • Understand that the school is in lockdown to protect students and staff.
  • Avoid calling or attempting to contact your child during this time. Students need to be focused on following staff’s safety instructions. Students also need to maintain silence for their safety.
  • Await updates from the district and/or local law enforcement. The district’s first priority is keeping students and staff safe; communications will follow as soon as possible. Detailed information will be shared as it is verified.

EVACUATE Protocol

When an EVACUATE is initiated: An EVACUATE is used to get students and staff out of the building by a route designed to avoid contact with a potential threat, such as a suspicious package, a threatening person in a specific confined area, a bomb threat, or a hazardous material spill. An EVACUATION protects staff and students from a threat where the exact location in the building is known.

Students

  • Stay calm, listen to your teacher, and follow the designated evacuation route.
  • Leave personal belongings behind unless instructed otherwise.
  • Remain with your teacher or group until the “All Clear” or further instructions are given.

Adults

  • Lead students to the evacuation location as practiced in drills.
  • Take attendance once in a safe area and report any missing or injured individuals.
  • Wait for further instructions before returning to the building.

Parents

  • Be aware that the school has relocated students to an outside location for safety.
  • Wait for communications regarding reunification if needed.
  • Do not come to the school until an official update is provided.

SHELTER Protocol

When a SHELTER is initiated: A SHELTER is issued for severe weather or hazardous material incidents. A SHELTER directive is used to relocate students and staff to a safe area away from potential weather- or HAZMAT-related danger.

Students

  • Follow your teacher to the shelter location as practiced in drills.
  • Remain calm and listen to instructions.
  • Stay in the shelter until the “All Clear” is given.

Staff

  • Direct students to the designated shelter area according to the school’s protocol.
  • Account for students and adults. Notify if missing, extra, or injured students or adults. Keep students calm and provide reassurance. 
  • Stay updated for additional instructions.

Parents

  • Understand that “Shelter” is used for safety due to environmental hazards.
  • Wait for communication before going to the school.
  • Follow official updates closely for any reunification instructions if needed.

LPS Safety Measures

  • Our district security system is currently one of the most advanced systems used in any school district in the nation. The security department utilizes the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) tiered recommendations in its security deployments. 
  • LPS security personnel monitor law enforcement radios to keep abreast of community situations that may impact our schools. 
  • The LPS security office monitors all LPS campuses (24/7/365) via high definition cameras, both inside and outside of all LPS buildings.
  • All school offices have radios that can communicate directly with the LPS security department when needed.
  • All school offices have “panic” buttons that can immediately lockdown a school and immediately notify the LPS security department of an emergency or crisis situation.  
  • LPS practices and prepares for various emergency situations with monthly drills and works closely with law enforcement on emergency responses.  
  • LPS school resource officers (sworn police officers) help keep our learning environments safe for students and staff. All middle and high schools have an SRO and several SROs serve our elementary schools as needed.
  • The most important thing we can do is be aware of who is in and around our schools.
  • All LPS staff have identification badges and are expected to wear them at all times.
  • School visitors are required to check in at the main office and receive a visitor’s badge. 
  • We stress to employees the importance of stopping individuals they do not know.
  • Students are asked to report any unidentified individuals to a teacher or other school officials immediately.
  • All doors to elementary and middle schools remain locked during the school day, and visitors must be granted access. Our high schools have multiple entrances; however, schools have SROs and campus supervisors patrolling entries and controlling access throughout the school day.
  • Parents and neighbors of our schools can be very helpful by being aware of what is going on in and around the building and reporting unusual activity to LPS Security (303-347-3420).
  • LPS utilizes a comprehensive school safety model that involves emergency preparedness, physical safety and security, mental health and risk assessment, technology tools, and partnerships with law enforcement and other community agencies.
  • LPS schools have adopted the Standard Response Protocol which provides a uniform, planned and practiced response to any incident, creating a foundation for a safe school in the event of severe weather events, fires, accidents, intruders, and other threats to personal safety.
  • LPS security personnel and school teams monitor student communications looking for issues of self-harm, bullying, and threats of potential violence. Prompt action is taken as needed.  
  • LPS security personnel monitor and respond to any Safe2Tell information that is received from students, parents, and community members identifying issues that concern their safety or the safety of others. Trained LPS staff members engage in student threat assessments when warranted.