Emergency Response Procedures and Lockdown Q&A

Emergency Response Procedures | FAQs about School Lockdowns

Emergency Response Procedures

Hold

In your room or area. Clear the halls – This is used to keep students in the classroom when dealing with short term emergencies such as a concern in the hallway. 

Secure Lockout

Get inside. Lock outside doors. This is used to keep students in the building when there may be a danger outdoors. Any students outside are brought indoors. Classroom instruction continues.

Lockdown

Locks, lights, out of sight. This is the primary response for an immediate/actual threat of violence inside or around the building. 

Evacuate

A location may be specified. This is used to evacuate students and staff from the building when leaving the building is the safest alternative. 

Shelter

Hazard and safety strategy. This is the  initial announcement for less common hazards like tornados or
 earthquakes. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about School Lockdowns

What is a lockdown? 

A lockdown is the confinement of people inside secured rooms for safety measures. It is used when a serious threat exists to the campus that requires students staff and visitors to remain in a locked area for safety. A lockdown may be ordered by law enforcement, the school principal or any school staff who identify a potential threat.

What happens during a lockdown?

All students, staff and visitors report immediately to the nearest classroom, gym or cafeteria. All doors are locked and secured. Everyone remains silent. Rooms remain locked until unlocked by police.

Who is in charge during a lockdown? 

Once law enforcement arrive on site, they are in charge and the district must follow their directives. We work closely and collaboratively with the Cohoes Police Department to respond to the threat and keep students and staff safe.

Can I pick up my child during a lockdown? 

We understand that the first reaction of most parents is to come to their child’s school. However, we ask that parents and guardians wait until we advise them that it is safe to pick up their child. Parents arriving unadvised to the school may actually hinder the emergency response and could jeopardize their own safety.

Can I call the school during a lockdown?

During a lockdown, staff are not able to answer incoming phone calls as they are following the same safety procedures as the students. During other emergency responses, callers may not be able to get through to the office because of an increase in the volume of calls or because staff are helping to ensure students and staff are safe.

How will parents and guardians know what is happening?

The district will notify families as soon as possible about the lockdown through ParentSquare, as well as the district website. This is why it is vitally important to keep your contact information up-to-date.

Should I believe everything I see on social media during a lockdown?

Emergency situations are fluid and always changing. Information you are getting from other sources such as the news media and personal Facebook pages may be inaccurate.

When will a lockdown end?

Everyone will remain in lockdown mode until law enforcement has determined the threat no longer exists. Police will then go door to door unlocking classrooms and notifying students and staff that the lockdown has been lifted. After the lockdown ends, normal school activities may resume or students may be released to their parents or other authorized adults according to the school’s release procedures in the safety plan.

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