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Keeping our students and staff safe
2/15/2018Dear Families and Staff,
My heart goes out to all of those touched by the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida on Wednesday. I want our community to know that the foundation of what we do every day at Portland Public Schools is to provide a safe learning environment for our students. PPS continuously strives to prepare our students and staff on how to respond efficiently and effectively to emergency situations.
As part of the District’s multi-hazard plan, schools are required to conduct two lockdown drills each academic year in fall and spring. Here are the expected responses from students and staff if there is an immediate danger inside or outside the school.
Lockout: Secure the perimeter
- Students – Return, remain inside school building. Business as usual inside the classroom.
- Teachers – Bring everyone indoors. Ensure exterior doors are locked. Increase situational awareness. Take attendance.
Lockdown: Locks, lights, out of sight
- Students – Move. Stay out of sight. Maintain silence.
- Teachers – Move to classroom. Lock doors. Cover windows, lights out. Stay out of sight. Maintain silence. Wait for first responders. Take attendance.
Team Response: Activate school emergency team
- Students – Return to classrooms.
- Teachers – Return to classrooms. Take attendance. Increase situational awareness. Business as usual inside classroom.
We have made a number of security investments in our schools that include improved communications, installation of access control and video surveillance systems and an increased number of Campus Security Agents. These safety investments on our campuses will continue with the 2017 bond money. In addition, all of our emergency procedures are analyzed every year for national best practice review.
PPS promotes a culture of safety by encouraging and empowering our students to report anything that makes them feel unsafe. Students can report concerns anonymously to the SafeOregon Tip Line, talk to a trusted adult, call the Multnomah County Call Center at 503-988-4888 or 911.
We also work very closely with the Portland Police Bureau in a continued effort to keep our students and staff safe.
George Weatheroy, PPS Director of Security Services
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