Questions & Answers for parents

School Lockdowns December 2012

school lockdown is initiated when law en- Aforcement officials or school leaders believe there is a threat to student and staff safety. Lock- downs may be used to protect schools from gun violence, nearby po- Q. What causes most lockdowns lice activi- in our Lake Wales Charter ty, or other Schools system? A. The majority of our lockdowns types of take place because something hap- disrup- pened in the neighborhood near the school (or police suspect that tions. something happened). Occasionally, we have a lockdown because of an ypi- on-campus threat, but this is less Tcally, common. during a Q. Can I call my child’s school lockdown, and find out what’s going on? A. Phones may be answered briefly students and staff take shelter in their classroom and/or abruptly during a lockdown, (or the nearest room) and lock the doors. Staff or they may not be answered at all. During a lockdown, school staff members are trained to take other steps to pro- members will act as instructed by tect themselves and the students in their care law enforcement. This may (or may not) include answering the phone. If during the lockdown. possible, we will communicate with families via ConnectEd when the sually, the school campus is “locked down” lockdown has been lifted. Uto prevent people from entering or exit- Continued on next page ing until the lockdown is lifted. Parents, vol- unteers and visitors who are on campus when This information is designed the lockdown is initiated will be “swept up” by to answer questions about staff members and taken to a safe place; others lockdowns, and help parents understand what steps are attempting to come onto the campus will be taken to keep children safe. asked to leave by staff and/or law enforcement. PO Box 3309 • Lake Wales FL 33859 www.lwcharterschools.com ... questions & answers Continued from front page

Q. Will my child be able to call/ text me during a lockdown? A. During a lock- down, students and staff are instructed not to use cell phones. There are many reasons for this. Everyone must remain as quiet as are procedures that our staff members have discussed and possible. It is important to prevent the spread of rumors, practiced.) hysteria and incorrect information. With the advent of technology and social media, someone inside the lockdown Q. What if I am already in the car pick-up line or arriv- could text or post information to Facebook that could help ing at school when the lockdown occurs? a suspect. A. Please obey the instructions of school staff and/or law enforcement. Vehicles probably will be directed away from Q. When/where can I pick campus. Drivers should lock doors and stay in vehicles. up my student? A. While a school lock- WARNING: Occasionally, a parent will disobey down is very distressing for staff and/or law enforcement, and try to come on parents, please stay away campus to retrieve a student during a lockdown. from the campus until the lockdown has been lifted. This creates an unfortunate situation for all con- Don’t interfere with police cerned: operations or emergency • Any “new” person on campus immediately responders. becomes a “suspect” • Our students don’t need to see/hear adults act Q. What happens if my child is already on the bus when disrespectfully or belligerently the lockdown happens? • We can and will file a trespassing charge A. We have special procedures for buses. Students already against these parents, which will prevent them on buses will be transported off campus to safety. Students from being able to come on campus for any not yet loaded will be moved inside the building to safety, and empty buses will leave the campus immediately. (These reason in the future

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during lockdowns, fire & weather drills and other precautions to keep students safe.

If you have any questions, please talk to the Principal or Assistant Principal at your child’s school.