Safety Communications & Family Guidance

Definition: Secure is called when there is a threat or hazard outside of the school building. All students and outdoor activities are brought inside, and exterior doors are locked. Learning continues inside with minimal disruption.  

Example reason: Law enforcement activity in the nearby area. 

What students hear: Return inside the building! Lock outside doors.

What students do: Return inside the building. Continue with classroom activities. No one enters or exits the building until the Secure is released. 

What parents/guardians do: No action is needed, but parents/guardians may have restricted access to enter the building. 

What message(s) you will receive: You will receive notification of a Secure, any updates, and when the Secure has ended. You may also receive a follow-up email when more information is available. 

Example message: 

Out of an abundance of caution, [School Name] has been placed in a Secure status. This is a precautionary measure. All students are inside and instruction is continuing with locked doors, and no one can leave or enter the building. We will keep you informed if student dismissal is impacted. We will share updates as they become available.  

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Learn more about what schools and students do during a Secure at mccsc.edu/safety. 

Definition: Lockdown is used when there is a direct threat inside or very near the school building. Classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, and students move out of sight of any corridor windows. Students remain quiet.   

What students will hear: “Lockdown! Locks, lights, out of sight.” 

What students do: Move away from doors and windows. Stay quiet. Do not open the door for anyone. Wait for law enforcement or school administration to release the Lockdown. 

What parents/guardians do: Do not come to the school or call the school at this time. Parents/guardians should remain available to receive updates as needed.   

What message(s) you will receive: You will receive notification of a Lockdown, any updates, and when the Lockdown has ended. You may also receive a follow-up email when more information is available.  

Example message: 

[School Name] is currently in Lockdown due to a safety threat to our school. Students and staff are inside the building as we follow lockdown procedures, in collaboration with local authorities. Please do not come to the school at this time. Our top priority is student and staff safety, and we will keep you informed and notify you when the lockdown has ended. 

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Learn more about what schools and students do during a Lockdown at mccsc.edu/safety. 

Definition: Evacuate is used when students and staff need to move to a different location due to a hazard in or near the school — such as a fire, gas leak, or chemical spill. The announcement will include a specific location (for example, “Evacuate to the bus zone”). Staff account for all students during an evacuation. 

What students will hear: “Evacuate! [to location]” 

What students do: Leave the building in an orderly way. Follow staff instructions to the designated location. Stay with your group. 

What parents/guardians do: Do not come to the school. Parents/guardians should remain available to receive updates as needed about reunification if necessary.   

What message(s) you will receive: You will receive notification of an Evacuation, any updates, and when the Evacuation has ended. If reunification is needed, you will receive detailed instructions of where and when to pick up your child. You will be asked to bring valid identification. Students will only be released to an authorized parent, guardian or emergency contact with valid identification.   

If an Evacuation is brief and quickly resolved, you may receive a notification at the end of the school day with information. 

Example message: 

[School Name] has been Evacuated due to a situation at the school and we are actively responding in collaboration with local authorities. Our staff are trained for these situations and are following all safety protocols to care for your child. At this time, we ask that parents/guardians stay where they are. We will let you know if the situation will impact student dismissal. The safety and well-being of your child is our top priority. We will keep you informed and share more information as it becomes available.  

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Learn more about what schools and students do during an Evacuation at mccsc.edu/safety. 

Definition: Shelter is used when students and staff need to take protective action for an environmental hazard such as a tornado, severe thunderstorm, earthquake, or hazardous material release. The specific hazard will be included in the announcement (for example, “Shelter for tornado”). Students and staff move to designated safe areas within the building. 

What students will hear: “Shelter! [for hazard type]” 

What students do: Move to the designated shelter area. Follow the specific protective posture for the hazard (for example, drop, cover, and hold for an earthquake; move to interior rooms and get low for a tornado). 

What parents/guardians do: Do not come to the school. Parents/guardians should remain available to receive updates about reunification if necessary.   

What message(s) you will receive: You may receive notification of a Shelter, any updates, and when the Shelter has ended. If reunification is needed, you will receive detailed instructions of where and when to pick up your child. You will be asked to bring valid identification. Students will only be released to an authorized parent, guardian or emergency contact with valid identification.  

If a Shelter is brief and quickly resolved, you may receive a notification at the end of the school day with information.  

Example message: 

[School Name] is currently Sheltering due to a tornado warning. The safety and well-being of your child is our top priority. We are actively investigating the situation, and we will share any updates as needed.  

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Learn more about what schools and students do during a Shelter at mccsc.edu/safety.