Dear Parents and Community Members,
Pierz Schools has implemented the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), a system designed to keep students and staff safe during an emergency. For the past few months, staff and administration have trained with local law enforcement and emergency teams to learn this standardized approach to emergency situations. This protocol, created by the "I Love U Guys" Foundation, is an easy-to-learn, action-based approach to a variety of situations.
The SRP is based on five actions with clear directives for students and staff:
Hold: "Hold in your room or area. Clear the halls." This is used when hallways need to be kept clear, for example, during a medical emergency. Students and staff stay in their rooms with the door locked and continue with their daily activities.
Secure: "Get inside. Lock outside doors." This action is used when there is a threat or hazard outside the school building. Everyone moves inside, all exterior doors are locked, and normal instruction continues within the building.
Lockdown: "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight." This is used when there is a threat inside the school building. Students move away from windows and doors, lights are turned off, and they remain silent until the "all clear" is given. Staff lock the classroom door and keep everyone out of sight.
Evacuate: "Evacuate to a location." This is used to move students and staff from one location to another, such as during a fire or a gas leak. Students and staff follow instructions to exit the building and go to a designated safe location.
Shelter: "Shelter for [hazard] using [safety strategy]." This is used for environmental hazards like a tornado or a hazardous material spill. Students and staff follow specific instructions for the situation, which could be "Drop, Cover, and Hold" for a tornado or "Seal the room" for a hazmat spill.
These five actions provide a common language and set of expectations, making it easier for everyone—students, staff, and first responders—to act quickly and effectively in an emergency. The goal is to provide a predictable and practiced response to any incident, helping to create a safer environment for our students.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school administration.
Sincerely,
Pierz Schools Administration
