2026 WCPS SCHOOL SAFETY WEEK

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) remains committed to student and staff safety by conducting regular drills, providing staff training, partnering with local law enforcement, and continuously reviewing and improving our practices. Thank you for trusting our schools to provide a safe, supportive place for students to learn and grow.

WCPS will be holding Safety Week the week of March 23, 2026. Throughout the week, all WCPS students and staff will participate in discussions and drills to learn about the Emergency Response Protocols that are used in all WCPS schools. The protocols use simple, common language so students and staff know what they need to do during an emergency.

Throughout the week, students will participate in pre-announced drills and follow the protocols to help prepare them to respond appropriately if an emergency happens at school. Teachers will be using age-appropriate resources to have classroom discussions about expectations and the importance of emergency preparedness.

The Emergency Response Protocols include:

• HOLD

• SECURE

• EVACUATE

• SHELTER

• LOCKDOWN

Please note that there may be delays if you need to drop your child off at school or pick your child up while Safety Week drills are in progress.

See additional information below about these responses and how they are used in various school emergencies.

*Some WCPS schools have already began safety drills to avoid any scheduling conflicts with testing or other programs and activities.

WCPS recognizes our students have different backgrounds and experiences, and some students may respond differently to the drills that are planned for Safety Day. If you have any concerns about your child participating in Safety Day and emergency drills, please contact your child’s school principal so your student can be supported appropriately.

For this action, the school will announce “Secure! Get inside and lock outside doors.” The SECURE action may be used when there is something unsafe outside the building, such as a public safety concern in the area surrounding the school or an animal on the school playground.

When the SECURE action is announced, any students or staff members who are outside the school will come inside, and administrators will ensure all outside doors are locked. Staff will increase situational awareness and account for students and adults. School operations will continue as normal.

For this action, the school will announce “Evacuate! Move to a designated safe place.” The EVACUATE action may be used when there is an emergency such as smoke being detected in the building or a gas leak or chemical spill in the school or surrounding area.

When the EVACUATE action is announced, staff will lead students to a safe evacuation location and account for students and adults.

For this action, the school will announce “Shelter! Listen for instructions due to a hazard.” The SHELTER action may be used in the event of severe weather, hazardous material spills or other hazardous situations near the school.

When the SHELTER action is announced, staff will provide students with safety strategy instructions to follow and account for students and adults.

For this action, the school will announce “Lockdown! Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.” The LOCKDOWN action will be used in the event of a significant and imminent danger.

When the LOCKDOWN action is announced, students will remain in their classrooms, move away from sight, stay silent and limit cell phone use. Staff will recover students from the hallway, if possible, lock classroom doors and turn out the lights. Doors will remain closed and locked. Lockdown will only be lifted when law enforcement opens classroom doors to move students and staff to a safe location.

The emergency response protocols used by WCPS were developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation. The foundation’s work is supported by educators, law enforcement, and survivors of loved ones who were victims of school violence. Their methodologies and strategies are used in thousands of school districts across the country.

The State of Maryland requires public schools to

complete various emergency drills each school year.