SCHOOL LOCKDOWN
PURPOSE
This is established to:
- Ensure all staff, teachers, and students master and effectively execute lockdown procedures during an emergency.
- Evaluate the coordination capabilities, response speed, and information communication effectiveness across all departments.
- Test and calibrate safety support tools (alarms, door locks, internal communications, camera, etc.).
REGULATIONS ON SCHOOL LOCKDOWN DRILL
- The School shall schedule periodic lockdown drills (at least once per academic year) to ensure that all staff, teachers, and students are proficient in the necessary procedures should a lockdown be required.
- Before each drill, the entire school community must familiarize themselves with the lockdown response procedures. These drills serve as essential training for all staff, teachers, and students to manage lockdown situations effectively, ensuring their own safety and the safety of others.
- Following each drill, the School will collect feedback (utilizing a 4W analysis) from participants to identify lessons learned and to refine procedures, plans, and scenarios for future drills.
- The School shall notify parents of the drill plans and provide summaries of the results via the Edufit Parents App.
REGULATIONS ON EXECUTING A SCHOOL LOCKDOWN ORDER
For Staff and Teachers:
- Upon the lockdown signal, staff and teachers must cease all activities and remain calm.
- Close and securely lock all classroom or office doors; turn off lights and draw curtains or blinds where available.
- Move to an area out of sight, staying away from windows and doors (even if curtains are drawn).
- Set mobile phones to silent mode with vibration disabled and screen brightness minimized. Power off all classroom or office equipment (speakers, projectors, etc.). In the Multi-Purpose Hall and Theater, the Technical Department shall deactivate all lighting systems.
- Sit low to the floor, hug knees, bow heads, and maintain slow breathing. Absolute silence must be maintained (no talking, loud crying, calling out names, banging on doors, or unnecessary movement).
- Do not open the door for any individual unless their identity is verified or official notification is received from the Environment and Safety Committee, an authorized person, or authorities.
- If teachers, staff, or students are observed needing shelter, open the door to admit them quickly and relock it immediately.
- Upon the signal to end the lockdown, turn on the lights and restore order within the classroom, functional rooms, or office. Teachers and staff shall submit an immediate status report using the following template: [Class…/Room…, Safe/Needs Support, Status…].
- If an evacuation to an assembly point is required, confirm the route, guide students accordingly, verify the headcount, and report the final status to the Environment and Safety Committee.
Note:
In cases where staff or teachers are in a classroom/functional room with students:
- Direct students to close doors, draw curtains, relocate to areas out of sight, and maintain distance from windows and doors (regardless of whether curtains are drawn).
- Instruct students to sit low to the floor, hug their knees, bow their heads, and maintain slow breathing. Absolute silence must be maintained (no talking, loud crying, calling out names, banging on doors, or unnecessary movement).
- If a student exhibits signs of panic, use non-verbal signals to encourage calmness and remain positioned near the student.
- For life-threatening emergencies requiring medical intervention, contact the Environment and Safety Committee via text message using the following template: [Class…, Room…, Status, Number of Persons Requiring Support]:
- Prioritize administering first aid within your capabilities while maintaining silence and keeping the door secured.
- Medical Staff shall prioritize providing instructions to teachers and staff via phone or online to perform immediate first aid.
- Should Medical Staff be required to relocate to provide support, they must ensure their own safety and remain within secured zones during transit.
In cases where teachers or staff are teaching or supervising students outside the building:
- Direct students to a classroom, functional room, office, or an out-of-sight area according to the principle: nearest – safest.
- If moving to a room that has already been locked from the inside by teachers and staff, stand in front of the door window to signal personnel inside for emergency entry.
- Check if anyone is separated from the group, injured, or having difficulty breathing.
In cases where coaches or staff are teaching or supervising students at the swimming pool:
- Instruct students to exit the pool immediately. Note: Do not require students to change into dry clothing; utilize towels if necessary.
- Guide students into a secure room or an out-of-sight area, such as the Coach’s Room, to take cover.
For students:
- Upon the lockdown signal, students shall cease all activities, maintain composure, and avoid panic.
- In all circumstances, follow the instructions of the teachers and staff.
- While sheltered, students shall sit low, hug their knees, bow their heads, and maintain slow breathing. Absolute silence is required; talking, crying loudly, calling out names, banging on doors, or unnecessary movement is strictly prohibited. Mobile phones must not be used to contact parents; the devices must be set to silent with vibration disabled and screen brightness minimized.
- Do not open the door for any individual unless their identity is verified or official notification is received from the Environment and Safety Committee, an authorized person, or authorities.
- If currently outside the building, students must follow the directions of teachers and staff, moving steadily without leaving the group.
- Notify teachers or staff in case assistance is needed.
- Upon the signal to end the lockdown, students shall follow the instructions of teachers and staff to restore order within the classroom or functional room, or proceed to the assembly point if required.
For parents
- Upon the execution of a lockdown order, the School will issue formal notifications to parents via the Edufit Parents App.
- As students are not permitted to leave the school premises during a lockdown, parents will not be allowed to come to the School and pick up their children during this time.
- Parents are requested to refrain from calling the School, as telephone lines must remain available for emergency response coordination. Parents should not expect communication from students, nor should they attempt to call them. Lockdown protocols require absolute silence to ensure that the presence of students, teachers, and staff remains undetected by any potential intruder.
- If students must remain on campus beyond regular dismissal hours, the School will notify parents regarding the revised pickup time and location. Please be assured that during any lockdown situation, the School maintains the safety and the physical and emotional well-being of all students, teachers, and staff as its highest priority.
