Dear Waikiki School Ohana:
The safety and security of our students and staff are our highest priority. To ensure that everyone knows how to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency, we will be conducting our required annual schoolwide safety drills this Friday.
All schools are required annually to practice their emergency procedures as mandated by state and local regulations. These drills are critical for preparing our students and staff for an actual emergency by building muscle memory and familiarity with emergency protocols.
The required drills we will be practicing include:
Lockdown/Shelter-in-Place Drill: This drill is used to secure the building in response to a threat inside or immediately outside the school (lockdown) or when severe weather or a local hazard requires students and staff to move to a safe location within the school (shelter-in-place).
School Evacuation Drill (Fire/Relocation): This drill requires the immediate, orderly movement of all occupants out of the school building to a designated safe area, typically in response to a fire or similar internal hazard.
Our teachers will carefully review the purpose of these drills with their students ahead of time, emphasizing that they are practice exercises designed to keep everyone safe.
While the drills are a necessary part of our safety plan, we understand that they can sometimes be a source of anxiety for children. Therefore, we encourage you to have a calm, supportive conversation with your child at home.
Here is some parental advice you might find helpful when discussing the drills:
Reassure them: Stress that these are just practice drills, much like practicing a sport or studying for a test. They are a routine procedure designed to help everyone stay safe.
Keep it simple and calm: Use age-appropriate language. For younger children, you can compare it to stopping, looking, and listening before crossing the street.
Focus on the action, not the fear: Instead of dwelling on why we practice, focus on what they should do:
For a Lockdown: "If the teacher says to lock down, you will stop what you are doing, be very quiet, and listen closely to your teacher's directions."
For an Evacuation: "If the fire alarm goes off or your teacher tells you to evacuate, you will quickly and calmly follow your teacher out to the safe meeting spot."
Emphasize the role of the adults: Remind them that the teachers and staff are there to protect them and that their most important job is to listen to the grown-ups in charge.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kusuda
