Downloadable and printable PDF is available here: https://gpsk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/20260909-GPS-School-Safety-Packet-vf2.pdf
Shelter in place
Shelter in place is a flexible protocol designed to ensure the safety of students and facilitate the school’s response to a wide variety of emergency situations and sensitive situations. The primary objective is to limit access to the building and minimize non-essential traffic through the corridors and common areas.
Examples of Shelter-in-Place events could include, but not be limited to:
Medical emergencies
Missing students
Found or Communicated threats (bombs or violence)
Fights and behavioral issues
A sick or dangerous animal on school property
Police or Fire activity in the neighborhood
Police or Fire personnel may initiate a shelter in place
Canine sweeps or other searches
Chemical spills
Lockdowns at other schools in the district or within the city/town
Teaching continues within the classroom. A shelter in place may be escalated to a lockdown.
Communications Expectations for a Shelter in Place
2-3 emails and/or texts home.
Communications 1:
We will share that a shelter-in-place/shelter-while-learning has been called and why. There may be limited details to share at this point in order to make sure the information we share is accurate. For example:
“We want to share that we have called a shelter-in-place due to a medical emergency involving a student. Emergency services were called to the building to assist, and police also responded. At no point were any other students or staff in danger and learning continued as normal.”
Communications 2 & 3:
If there are further pertinent details, or more pertinent information comes to light, a second and possibly third communication will be sent home. This information may include timing, additional details about what students may have seen or heard, and follow-up information. These communications may be combined into a single message, depending on when information is available.
Communication 2 example:
“As you know, we called a shelter-in-place at around 11:30 am on Tuesday during lunch due to a medical emergency involving a student. An ambulance and a police cruiser arrived quickly, and your children may have seen the paramedics who came into the building to help. Learning continued as normal, with no interruptions for the rest of the day.”
Communication 3 example:
“We want to thank all students and staff for their cooperation during today’s shelter-in-place. As a reminder, we will call a shelter in place in the event of a medical emergency so that hallways can remain clear for emergency personnel to move quickly.
While everyone was safe throughout the shelter, we understand some students may have questions. Our school counselor is available to all of our students if they need help processing what they have seen or heard.”
Lockdown
The lockdown protocol applies under only two circumstances: weapons related violence on campus or a hostile intruder on campus. Any staff member who identifies a situation like that is expected to call for a lockdown immediately.
During a “lockdown” situation, classrooms are immediately secured. Staff are trained to guide students to maintain in the room, to evacuate, or to take other actions to promote their safety. The main objective of a lockdown is student and staff safety by minimizing risk and allowing emergency responders the space and time to their jobs.
Communications Expectations for a Lockdown
3-5 emails and/or texts home.
Communications 1:
We will share that a lockdown has been called and why. There may be limited details to share at this point in order to make sure the information we share is accurate. For example:
“We want to share that we have called a lockdown due to an intruder in the building. Greenfield police responded quickly and removed the intruder from the building. Students and staff remained safe where they were.”
Communications 2 & 3:
We will share more details, include timing, what students may have seen or heard, and follow-up information. These communications may be combined into a single message, depending on when information is available.
Communication 2/3 example:
“As you know, a lockdown was initiatied at 1 pm this Wednesday. Greenfield police officers arrived quickly, defused the situation, and escorted the intruder from the building. By following our security plan and communicating clearly with emergency services, the situation was resolved without incident and the intruder was isolated in the main foyer. Once the police gave us the all clear, learning resumed.”
Communication 4:
“We want to thank all students and staff for their cooperation during today’s lockdown. We also want to thank Greenfield police for their quick and thorough response. We have reviewed our response with local and state police to make sure that we did everything expected of us in a situation like this.
While everyone remained safe throughout the lockdown, we understand some students and family members may have questions. Our school counseling team will be available to all of our students if they need help processing what they have seen or heard.”
Evacuation
In the event of certain building emergencies, students are guided to the nearest exit and assemble at an established location.
During evacuation, release times, communication from the school and/or transportation may be temporarily disrupted, and families will receive information and instructions.
Off-Site Evacuation
In an extreme emergency when a school has been evacuated and it is not possible to return, an off-site meeting place may be needed. The school will inform and direct parents to a designated meeting spot.