Safety Drills
EVACUATION DRILL
The evacuation drill will involve all students walking to a secondary location, escorted by staff and administrators. The Watertown Police Department will be assisting in stopping traffic to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Conducting this drill helps us practice and find weaknesses in our processes.
High School Evacuation Location: St. Patrick's Church (Main St.)
ALICE DRILL
Our school district uses the ALICE Training protocols to ensure student and staff safety should there ever be a dangerous situation either inside or near the building.
What does ALICE stand for?
ALERT | LOCKDOWN | INFORM | COUNTER | EVACUATE
Why are we practicing?
These drills are a good way for students to learn what to do in the event of a dangerous situation either inside or near the building. The drill will include discussions of what to do in different scenarios. We will not be "acting out" simulated threats in the building, but rather discussing and educating students of their options and how to best stay safe. Included in these drills will be a discussion of how to stay safe in our new, "open campus," type model.
What will we be doing?
Students will hear a series of scenarios over the PA to discuss with their class and teacher. Students will also hear the sounds and messaging of our mass notification system, including our ALICE alarm. Finally, students will practice safely and calmly "locking down" in their classroom, including safely blocking their doors from intruders. Please note that we will NOT be participating in any simulations that involve people acting as intruders or the use of any noise making devices. We will be relocating to a secondary site at the end of the drill.
What if my student needs additional help?
While we have changed our drill protocols to ensure that these practices are not scary, we understand that students can be off-put by the need for these types of drills. We will be keeping an eye out for students that may be experiencing anxiety around the drill, however, if you know your student is concerned with these types of events, please don't hesitate to reach out to your student's school counselor.
Who can I contact?
If you would like to discuss this protocol with us, please do not hesitate to email me: joel.giacobozzi@watertown.k12.ma.us