School lockdown — words that create fear and panic for many parents and students.
The Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board is changing the way it handles school lockdown procedures and its terminology.
From now on –lockdown will only apply to a major incident or threat of school violence within the school.
When something happens outside of the school — such as a bank robbery — it will be called Hold and Secure.
If there is an environmental spill or severe weather such as a tornado — it will be called Shelter in Place.
Superintendent of Education Jerry Casey hopes the new terminology will provide clarity to students and parents — and eliminate a lot of fear.
He calls the changes necessary to ensure students don’t become desensitized to school lockdowns.
Last year Owen Sound’s St. Basil school experienced a school lockdown due to a police situation outside of the school.
The province has mandated that all school boards refine their lockdown procedures and standardize their terminology to ensure consistency across the province.
All Bruce Grey Catholic District Schools will hold two lockdown drills a year.