Dear Parents/Guardians,
On Thursday, September 21, 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 drill will begin at 1:30 PM and probably last about an hour, with a debriefing meeting in the JH Gym (for elementary) and HS 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 lockdown 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 to help them determine if they should stay put or flee. The response team will use this time to practice a few training tactics so they can learn how to respond to incidents in our school building, which we hope will never occur!
The students will return to class once the drill and debriefing are over. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 645-3433.
It will be necessary 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 the Illinois School Code. We have found this approach to be highly effective. Liberty has 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 an excellent opportunity to talk to your child about a safe place in the community that they should run to so you can 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
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