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Secure Lockout vs. Lockdown

At Pal-Mac, safety remains a priority. 

The District amended its current Emergency Response Protocols to the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), due to recently adopted changes made by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). 

We are sharing these informational messages to give more insight into the SRP.

In certain circumstances, a building in the District may need to go into either a lockdown or  a secure lockout. These terms seem similar, but are two different procedures for two different situations. 

The following terms are as defined by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED)

SECURE LOCKOUT

A secure lockout involves an imminent concern outside the school buildings. The school

might display the Building is Secured poster on entry doors or nearby windows. 

When a secure lockout is put into effect, all students are moved into the school buildings. Doors into the schools are secured, and no-one is permitted to leave or enter the building for any reason.

Indoor classes and activities are allowed to continue as normal, like on any other school day.  Staff are trained to Increase their situational awareness and account for students and adults.


LOCKDOWN

A lockdown occurs when an incident poses an immediate threat of violence in or around the school.

When a lockdown is in effect, students are moved out of sight into a secure indoor location. Hallways are cleared, all classroom lights

are turned off and doors are locked with students inside their secure location. Students and staff are to remain silent.

All indoor classes and activities stop while a lockdown is in effect. Students and staff are not permitted to leave the classroom until the door is unlocked by law enforcement and directions for the next steps will be provided by officials.