11. Know the codes for fire drills, lock-downs, and tornado drills

Fire Drills, Lockdown Drills, and Tornado Drills

This we believe (NMSA, 2010).

*The school environment is inviting, safe, inclusive, and supportive of all. School Environment

This we believe (NMSA, 2010) provides an overview of sixteen characteristics of exemplary middle schools. This blog addresses the eleventh characteristic and can be found in the section under culture and community.

Depending on where you are in the country, there are requirements that relate to safety. On the first day of school, one of the things I do is ask students to line up in alphabetical order so we can practice a “fire drill” line. I tell them that in the event of a fire drill they will line up with my class records so that I can be sure I have all of my students accounted for.

This week we had a "lockdown." A lockdown is when students are placed in a safe, locked place away from windows.  We happened to be at lunch. However, when the call came across the intercom, our students filed quickly into a locker room. No one spoke. It was a very serious experience and our students handled it very well. Teachers in each hallway were designated “sweepers.” They made sure the bathrooms were clear. Within minutes our children were safely tucked away from doors and windows awaiting the all-clear signal from our principal.

On this day, our students were not only compliant; they were also respectful of teachers and leaders who were making sure they were safe. Learning the codes and procedures are part of a beginning teacher’s job. Safety is our job.

Advice

1)   Have a plan for fire drills, tornado drills, and lockdowns and practice these drills with every class.

2)   Get to know your code drills, who is the CPR, safety person, what to do if you are outside. Ask your team members about these drills.

3)   Once the lockdown was over, our principal came over the intercom and let everyone know what was expected.