Memo from the
Principal . . . School Safety Drills
According to state legal
standards each school is required to conduct:
- One tornado-preparedness drill
each semester
- manmade occurrence drill each
semester; and
- spontaneous fire drills at lease
once a month when school is in session.
Tornado-preparedness drill
procedures:
- Tornado drill “alarm” is announced over
the PA system
- Students proceed to their assigned
shelter area.
- Directions to designated secure areas
are posted in each classroom.
- Students are instructed to practice a
“duck and cover” position until they hear an “all clear”.
- All School Town of Munster buildings
have emergency weather radios that announce warnings from the National
Weather Service in the event of any severe weather conditions.
- The Munster Fire Department coordinates
various emergency preparedness initiatives including a Lightning Prediction
System and an Emergency Warning System coordinated in conjunction with WGN.
This system alerts the public to school closings and tornado warnings.
Man-made occurrence drill
procedures:
- Lockdown and code Red drills are
announced over the PA system.
- Lockdown procedures are used when we
need the halls cleared. All students need to report to a classroom and
remain inside the building.
- Code Red procedures are used in
emergency situations when the safety of all students is a concern.
- In a lockdown, teachers lock their
doors and can continue with normal classroom routine. Students will remain
in that classroom until the lockdown is cancelled.
- Lockdowns may be used in the event of
some situation occurring outside the building or may be used if halls simply
need to be cleared due to some situation in the hallways (injured student, a
spill, etc.)
- Code Red Procedures are used in the
event of an unsafe situation inside the building. It consists of moving all
students to a secure classroom location and out of sight for all hallways
and windows. Students remain quiet and hidden until the Code Red is
cancelled.
- No visitors are allowed to enter or
exit the building during a Lockdown or Code Red.
- The Munster Police Department monitors
and supervises Lockdown and Code Red drills in each of the elementary
buildings. So the presence of the Munster Police is NOT an indication of
any immediate danger. They work with our staffs to assure the effectiveness
of our drills.
Fire Drill procedures:
- The fire alarm is a loud, continuous
sound. Additionally, lights will be flashing throughout the building.
- Students walk quickly and quietly to a
safe area outside the building. These directions are posted in each room.
- Students who are not in their regular
classroom at the time of the alarm should proceed outside with whatever
adult is supervising them at the time.
- If the alarm is sounded during lunch or
recess, students follow the directions of the adult supervising the area.