Over
the past several years our country has seen an increase in school
violence and school shootings. As the experts analyze these horrific
events, it is apparent that we need to do more. We need to take steps in
an attempt to prevent these events from occurring, and also to ensure
that we are training students and staff members on procedures that they
would need to survive in the case of an active shooter in our schools.
In
response, the School District of the Menomonie Area, along with several
other school districts across the country, have adopted a new strategy
for lockdown procedures known as the ALICE plan. ALICE is an acronym for
Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate.
Lockdown
procedures previously involved staff members locking their doors,
moving students to a part of the room where they could not be seen, and
quietly remaining there until an “all clear” announcement was given. The
ALICE plan, however, offers a different philosophy to utilize
technology and information in a way that allows staff and students to
make informed decisions in a crisis; it removes as many people as
possible from the danger zone and provides realistic training so that
those involved in the crisis have a better chance of surviving.
The
ALICE plan will be implemented in phases in the SDMA, and in
collaboration with local law enforcement officials. The first phase has
been completed, and it involved lead staff members receiving training
based upon the ALICE plan protocol. This fall, the second phase will
include building-level training involving all staff and students.
During
this training, teachers will provide direction to the students on what
action needs to be taken. It will be very important that students listen
and follow the directions given, as this drill is not predictable like a
fire drill or tornado drill. Before the first drill is performed,
individual classroom teachers will let the students know that it is only
a drill, not an actual situation, and they will teach their class the
ALICE plan. For our elementary students, the training will be based upon
the standpoint of a bad person entering the school building, instead of
an active shooter, to ensure our younger students are not scared during
the drill.
Students
need constant reminders of safe practices in order for them to make
good decisions related to their personal safety. Parents can prepare
their child(ren) for the ALICE plan by helping them to understand the
following objectives at home:
- There are people that can be mean and may wish to do harm.
- There are many solutions and options when faced with a problem.
- Have your child demonstrate and explain the safety options practiced at school.
- Ask your child(ren) where they go in the case of an evacuation.
- Discuss the importance of following the teacher’s directions without hesitation.
Further information regarding the ALICE plan can be found at the following website: http://www.alicetraining.com.
If parents have any additional questions about the ALICE plan, they
are also encouraged to contact the principal at their child’s school.
Should
school stakeholders have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for
our school district, I invite you to visit the Administrative Service
Center on Pine Avenue or contact me at 715-232-1642. More information
about our schools can be found on the school district website (www.sdmaonline.com) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/sdmaonline).
Acknowledgement:
Much of this article was written in collaboration with Elk Mound
Superintendent Ron Walsh. In addition to recognizing Dr. Walsh’s
contribution, I would like to thank him for sharing this information
with the other school superintendents in Dunn County.