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 The schools in Middlesex County recognize their responsibility to assure the optimum safety and welfare of students and staff.  To a large degree, school administrators have included the concerns of parents in the development of district and school emergency plans.  School safety planning reflects the special characteristics of individual neighborhoods, including crime data and hazardous conditions in the various communities in Middlesex County.  Consequently, there are variations in the emergency plans within the county.  However, since parents and community groups are integral constituents of school safety planning, they should be aware of the measures that have been implemented in the schools to assure student safety. There are some consistent procedures that are followed by schools in the county.

 Schools in Middlesex County conduct cyclical lockdown and evacuation drills to prepare students and staff members for various emergency situations.  Presently fire drills, which are an example of evacuation, are conducted bi-monthly as required by State regulations.  Like fire drills, the goal is to make lockdown drills routine exercises which support safe, secure learning environments.

 During a lockdown classroom instruction stops, a quiet, calm environment is maintained. 

A lockdown can be called for a variety of critical situations, from suspicious people to chemical spills.  In many cases, events in the neighborhood will cause a school to lockdown.  If you are in the school during a lockdown, whether a drill or actual emergency, please follow the instructions of the staff members and expect to be secured in the building for the duration of the lockdown.

 When the news breaks that an emergency is taking place at a school, every parent’s first reaction is to rush to the school to pick up his or her child.  In fact, a crowd of parents arriving at school can increase the risk to students.  Here are some tips for parents when an emergency occurs in or near your child’s school:

• During most critical situations, schools cannot answer their phones.  Parents should rely on the pre-established communications protocols for their particular school district. The communications protocol. may include an emergency automated calling system, notification by the district’s website, use of local radio or television media, or some other pre-established communication process to convey basic information and the status of the emergency.

• For critical events requiring an evacuation, there will be an identified staff person to give you information about the evacuation and re-location site, if indicated.

• Ensure that your student’s Emergency Card information is up-to-date and contains accurate primary and secondary contact numbers.

• Become familiar with your child’s school emergency operations plans.