WORCESTER – Worcester Public Schools (WPS) released a new safety response protocol on Friday, Oct. 6., which it says requires all WPS schools “to conduct age-appropriate ‘hold’ drills, ‘secure’ drills, and ‘lockdown’ drills twice per year.”
The new Standard Response Safety Protocol follows the I Love You Guys Foundation school safety framework. The foundation’s program have been implemented in 45,000 schools, agencies and organizations across the United States, Canada and 11 other countries.
“The Worcester Public Schools continues to provide safe and supportive environments for all of our scholars and staff, but safety is not something we can ever take for granted,” said Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez. “I look forward to building a greater districtwide understanding of concrete safety measures with clear protocols, procedures, and a common language to ensure a systematic and organized response to any situation.”
The I Love You Guys foundation’s school safety framework uses color-coded terms with easily understood language for emergency situations:
- Hold: Stay in your classroom and keep the hallways clear, but instruction can continue.
- Secure: Exterior doors to the school are locked, and outdoor activities are halted, but classroom instruction can continue.
- Lockdown: Students and staff are ordered to lock their classroom or office doors and to stay out of sight.
- Evacuate: People are moved from one location to a different location either inside or outside the building.
- Shelter: There is a significant threat. Students/staff are ordered to lock doors, hide, and barricade rooms if necessary.
