Enhanced safety measures implemented in Montgomery County schools due to worries about training and responsibility issues
Kennedy High School in Montgomery County is set to implement new emergency protocols based on the "I Love U Guys" Foundation's Standard Response Protocol (SRP). The change aims to standardize communication during emergencies, ensuring consistency and reducing confusion.
Outgoing PTSA President, Ricky Ribeiro, has raised concerns about the accountability and transparency of the new policy's implementation. However, the school administration assures that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure a smooth transition.
The SRP consists of five actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Each action is designed to address different situations, from keeping hallways clear during an incident to evacuating the school in case of severe weather.
In a Lockdown situation, students and staff would lock classroom doors, shut off lights, and stay quiet if there's an immediate threat in the school or close to the building. During a Secure, students and staff come inside and lock the outside doors for external threats, such as a police presence in a nearby neighborhood.
Evacuate requires everyone in the school to exit and go to a designated evacuation area, while Shelter is used solely for environmental hazards, including severe weather.
The new protocols also include a review of other safety procedures, such as how families would be reunited with their children after an emergency and how staff and students should respond to serious threats.
Administrators received Safety Response Protocol training during the summer leadership summit in August, and all MCPS schools are required to complete a series of emergency drills involving the new protocol by the end of October.
The goal of the new policy is to simplify and standardize the language used during emergencies, making it easier to take quick action. However, it's important to note that schools that do not comply with the described security protocols risk failing to ensure legally mandated data protection and IT security, potentially violating privacy rights of students and facing scrutiny from data protection authorities.
It's worth mentioning that the new emergency protocols do not appear to have been subject to public comment before their release, which has sparked some concerns among parents and community members. The school administration is encouraging open dialogue and welcomes feedback to address any concerns and ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the Kennedy High School community.
