School safety is on everyone’s minds after recent school shooting tragedies in the United States.

In an effort to put people at ease, schools in Davidson and Kenaston are letting students, staff and parents know they would be conducting drills in the near future at the schools in the event of a potential lockdown situation. Craik School has already been conducting these drills for several years now.

Jason Low, principal of Davidson School, said they have conducted perimeter (external doors locked) and interior (classroom doors locked) drills in the past, but more testing is needed with them. He said these drills are just preventive and they want to have some practice and a plan in place in case of a security situation.

“It’s a hot topic right now because of all those things (in the States),” said Low. “We’re just trying to do our part to stay on top of things and have our procedures in place and make sure that we’re practised and calm.”

Low said school staff has begun discussions at their meetings to determine their role and ways to keep students informed and at ease during a lockdown situation. He said one thing that staff would like to impress upon students is to put away their cell phones during a lockdown situation so as not to spread panic in the community and keep phone lines from being blocked for emergency services.

“It’s a learning curve for us too as we get going,” he said. “We’re trying to figure things out on how we can keep kids informed and calm and work with them.”

Kenaston School principal Ryan Johnson said they have formed a crisis team made up of three teachers and one office staff member and is meeting this week to plan their lockdown drill. He said this drill would be their first of the year, but they have conducted them at the school in the past.

“We’re going to go through the list of things that need to happen, such as the script that will be said over the intercom,” said Johnson about what will be discussed among the crisis team this week. “With the first one, we are going to let parents, community (members), staff and students know about it, so they will be aware about what they should be doing and it’s not a stressful situation.

“Then the next one, if we have one before the end of the year, will probably be a regular unannounced drill for practice purposes.”

To read more please see the March 18 print edition of The Davidson Leader.