Minisink Valley school community:
Each school year, all New York State schools are required to conduct at least 12 emergency drills. The intention of each drill is to ensure that in the event of an actual emergency, students, faculty/staff know what to do and are able to respond appropriately in the shortest period of time safely and without confusion or panic.
In particular:
Eight of the 12 drills must be for evacuation purposes
Four of the 12 drills must be for lockdown purposes. The intent of a lockdown drill is to secure school buildings during incidents that pose an immediate threat in or around the school.
All schools typically run more than the required number of drills each year. Additionally, all schools will also run lockout drills each year. The intent of a lockout drill is to secure school buildings and ground during incidents that post an immediate concern outside of the school or nearby the school.
Special note: Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, State Education Law now requires all drills to be announced to students and faculty/staff prior to the drill’s commencement. Administration will announce “This is a drill and not an emergency.”
Terms to know:
Evacuate: Used to evacuate students and staff from the building.
Hold-in-place: Used to limit the movement of students and staff while dealing with short-term emergencies.
Lockdown: Used to secure school buildings and grounds during incidents that post an immediate threat in or around the school.
Lockout: Used to secure school buildings and grounds during incidents that post an immediate concern outside or nearby the school.
Shelter-in-place: Used to shelter students and staff inside the building when Administration feels is necessary.