What Happens During A School Lockdown?

It is a scary word for parents, students and teachers: “lockdown.”

In many cases, nothing actually happens while it’s going on because the problem is in the neighbourhood and it’s an attempt to keep intruders out. But in the more frightening instances, a crime or unknown emergency is happening on or inside a campus, and police are forced to go classroom to classroom looking for a suspect, weapons – or both.

The Toronto District School Board has a policy that every school in the city, whether secondary or elementary, must practice a lockdown procedure twice a year. Students are kept in class, teachers lock the doors, and everyone stays as far away from the windows as possible.

There are a number of proactive safety precautions in place. Most high schools and many elementary schools in Toronto have security cameras and police often do walk-throughs.

The majority of T.O.  high schools also have safe school monitors.

In general, they follow this protocol.

Level 1: Danger Inside School

• The principal or someone in authority makes the announcement of a lockdown over the P.A. system
• Three sets of bells ring inside and outside the building.
• All students and teachers are required to remain on the floor unless they hear otherwise. In some cases, they can stay at their desks. 
• Windows are closed, but the curtains stay open and the lights stay on, so cops and emergency officials can see inside each room.
• Those in the hallways are required to immediately head to the closest room and lock the door.
• Students on the outside of the school are supposed to head away from the building and meet at a pre-arranged evacuation point.
• If necessary, parents will be called, but only after the emergency is over.

Level 2: Danger Outside School

• Most of the procedures are the same, except the lights are turned off and the blinds and drapes are closed, and school doors are locked.

Level 3: Danger in the Neighbourhood

• This scenario involves slightly less serious precautions, because the threat is farther away. It involves increased supervision, locking the outside doors and controlling the movement of students inside the building.

Lockdown Check List

Here’s some of what the Toronto Catholic District School Board instructs teachers to do when a lockdown is called:

• Lock all classroom doors.
• Lock all exterior doors.
• Keep one telephone line open so that Police, Board office can contact the school.
• Take attendance in each room. Note those who are absent and notify the office immediately.
• Keep everyone facing away from the glass and doors where possible.
• Pull shades or drapes and turn off lights if appropriate. Ensure that you can communicate visually with police if necessary.
• Release no one except by the direction of the principal or designate or the police.
• Do not release students or staff for restrooms or lockers.
• Do not use radio, TV, or cell phones in classrooms.
• Everyone should lie on the floor if gunshots are heard.
• Call the school office with vital information. (e.g. I see a person in the NW Hallway etc.)
• Only open the doors when an “all clear” or “Release code” is given.
• Have a consistent message for parents who are calling the school during the lockdown.
• Call other schools in immediate vicinity, which may be affected by the circumstances that created the need for the lockdown.

Most of these incidents resolve themselves peacefully and the captive kids are eventually let out – sometimes through a single exit or even at another school – much to the relief of waiting and anxious parents.