Hold – In Your Room or Area. Clear the halls.

This is the most common action used in our schools. A Hold is called when students and staff need to remain in their classrooms or avoid certain areas. Examples include providing privacy for a medical situation, addressing an altercation in a hallway, or cleaning up a spill or maintenance issue. Instruction continues as normal during a Hold. Because this occurs regularly and is not cause for concern, parents will not typically be notified unless the situation is prolonged or requires more significant action.

Secure – Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors.

Secure is called when there is a potential threat or hazard outside the building, and students are safest inside. During Secure, no one may enter or exit the building. Instruction continues as usual. This may occur due to police activity in the area, an unauthorized person on school grounds, or a nearby dangerous animal. Parents will be notified if the situation is serious, prolonged, or affects arrival or dismissal.

Lockdown – Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.

A Lockdown is called when there is a threat inside the building. Students and staff move into secured spaces, lock doors, turn off lights, and remain out of sight. Parents will always be notified of a Lockdown through our emergency alert system.

Evacuate – To a Location.

Evacuate is used when students and staff must move from one location to another for safety reasons. This may be to another area within the building or to an off-site location, depending on the situation. An evacuation may occur due to mechanical issues, fire alarms, or other safety concerns. Parents will be notified of an Evacuate mode through our emergency alert system.

Shelter – For Severe Weather or Hazardous Material.

Shelter is called when specific protective actions are needed, such as during severe weather or a hazardous material situation. Depending on the circumstances, instruction may continue. Parents will be notified of a Shelter through our emergency alert system.

This ensures that the language we use is understood by the Royal Oak Police Department, Michigan State Police, and all emergency responders.

Our administrators and teachers use age-appropriate explanations when preparing for and running a drill so that we do not cause undue stress for our students, while ensuring they are prepared in the event of an emergency.

To ensure you and all emergency contacts for your child receive notifications from our emergency alert system (including any trusted family member or friend who could pick your child up in the event of an emergency), please make sure your child’s Skyward Emergency Contacts are updated. Students will only be released to individuals included on their emergency contact list.