Add as a preferred source on Google

Preparing Students for a Campus Lockdown

  • 10/01/18
safe kids inc

Safe Kids Inc., an organization founded by law enforcement officers and educators, is designing curriculum to teach children to recognize, avoid, and survive active shooter and violent intruder events.

The H.E.R.O. Program consists of student-facing, age-appropriate curriculum built upon Empowerment Theory with interactive, non-threatening lesson plans, that are based on original narratives for K-8 students. The program, designed to mitigate violence and empower children to take safe action during an active shooter situation, includes all-staff professional development with optional continuing education credits issued by Brandman University, a guide for students with disabilities, a drill and scenario guide for schoolwide contextual drills, along with rubrics and training records.

The first real-life test of the H.E.R.O. Program came on March 15, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. at Cathedral City Elementary School in Cathedral City, Calif. While nearly 700 K-5 students and 65 staff were going about their school day, teachers began reporting gunshots from a residential backyard that borders the school’s playground. At nearly the same time, a frantic delivery driver ran into the school’s office and reported seeing a “bloody” person driving away from the area with people running in all directions, some towards the school.

All of the K-3 students were playing at recess, and the 4th and 5th grade students were eating lunch. Fearing for the safety of her students, the principal immediately issued a lockdown order, but only K-3 students had completed the H.E.R.O. Program.

Students who had completed the H.E.R.O. Program immediately: dispersed from common outdoor areas to lockdown in classrooms; erected barricades quickly; and worked together as a team.

Older students took leadership roles and passed out “Overcome” items. Students took the situation seriously, remaining quiet and focused and greeted law enforcement when the all-clear signal as given, thanking them for their help.

safekidsinc.com

This article originally appeared in the School Planning & Management October 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Recent University of Pennsylvania Projects Receive LEED Certifications

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently announced that three of its recent construction projects have earned LEED certifications, according to university news. The Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) received a LEED Platinum certification, Amy Gutmann Hall a LEED Gold, and the OTT Center for Track and Field a LEED silver.

  • FAU Starts Construction on Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

    Florida Atlantic University recently began construction on a new academic building for its campus in Boca Raton, Fla., according to university news. The Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will stand two stories, measure in at 22,000 square feet, and play home to the university’s Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs.

  • Malibu High School Campus Completes $102M Phase 1 of Construction

    Malibu High School in Malibu, Calif., recently announced that it has completed phase 1 of construction for its new campus, a news release reports. The first phase consisted of developing and modernizing the site of a former elementary school into a new, 70,000-square-foot, two-story facility.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

Digital Edition