Culpeper County Public Schools in collaboration with law enforcement, fire and rescue agencies, has developed School Crisis and Emergency Response Plans that detail recommended responses to a number of situations that pose a risk to the safety of persons on school property.

Staff and students are instructed on these responses by conducting action drills, “table-top” exercises, and discussions.

These include:

· Fire Drill (Evacuation Drill) - This drill instructs students and staff on how to evacuate the building quickly and safely in the event of a fire, gas leak, bomb threat, or other cause for evacuation.

· Lockdown Drill - This drill teaches students and staff a response to a perceived high-level security threat whereby a person(s) poses an immediate threat of harm. Students and staff are instructed to secure themselves in a location by locking and barricading doors or to find cover or concealment (hide). This response is initiated by communicating: “Lockdown-Get to a secure location. Lock and barricade doors. Lights out and hide. Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown.” (Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are exempt from mandatory participation in lock-down drills during the first 60 days of the school session.)

· Stay in Place Drill - This drill teaches students and staff a response to a perceived medium-level threat in which a person(s) poses a possible risk to safety or situation in which hallways need to be cleared. Normal activities within classrooms are to continue. This response is initiated by communicating: “Stay in place. Clear hallways and bathrooms and return to class immediately. Lock doors. Continue working in classrooms.”

· Remain Indoors Drill - This drill teaches students and staff a response to a perceived low-level threat in which a person(s) poses a possible risk to safety outdoors. Persons are instructed to remain indoors or to return to the building immediately. Normal activities are to continue within the building. This response is initiated by communicating: “Remain indoors and secure entrances. All persons outside are to return to the building immediately. Exterior doors are to be locked and monitored. Continue normal operations.”

· Run (Escape) and Self-Defense (Fight) - Students and staff are provided age-appropriate instruction to use their best judgement when confronted with a person(s) who poses an immediate risk to safety. These include using all possible exits in a location and quickly escaping, or when no exit is possible means of self-defense.

· Tornado Drill- This drill instructs students and staff on how to find the safest place in the building and proper head covering techniques in the event of a tornado. This drill is conducted annually in March.

· Bus Evacuation Drill- This drill instructs students on how to quickly and safely evacuate the school bus. This drill is conducted in September and April each year.

· Earthquake Drill - This drill instructs students and staff on how to best protect themselves in the event of an earthquake by seeking cover from falling objects. This drill is conducted annually.

Safety Information

School Crisis and Emergency Plans

What Parents Need to Know During a School- Based Emergency