Active Shooter Drill
October 3, 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians,
On Thursday, October 13, Liberty School will participate in our required annual active shooter drill. This will be conducted in coordination with the Adams County Sheriff’s Department. The actual drill will begin first thing in the morning around 9:00 AM and will probably last about an hour, with a de-briefing meeting in their classrooms (for elementary) and the big gym (for JH and HS). During the drill, representatives from each classroom in grades 6-12th grade, under the guidance of their teacher, will decide whether to remain in a lock down or escape from the building. This will depend on where the active shooter is located in the building. These students will meet sheriff’s deputies and school staff at the bus garage.
We are trying to make this situation as authentic as we can. Students will hear screams, as a reaction to seeing the active shooter, in order to determine if they should stay put or flee. The response team will use this time to practice a few training tactics, so they too can learn from this experience on how to respond to incidences in our school building, which we hope will never occur!
Once the drill is over, the students will continue with their school day as normal. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 217-645-3433.
It will be important for students to understand that we are practicing, just like we do for fires and tornados. We are required to hold this drill every year according to Illinois School Code. We have found this approach to be highly effective. We have actually served as a model for other school districts and law enforcement agencies to follow.
Please take a few minutes to talk with your child about this. The classroom teachers will do this, as well. Also, it is a great opportunity to talk to your child about a safe place in the community that they should run to, so you could find them. This is extremely important in a real emergency.
Thanks so much for anything you can do in advance to prepare the students and address their concerns. Also, be prepared for them to tell you about the drill and ask questions.
Sincerely,
Kelle S. Bunch
Superintendent
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