School Safety

 

Emergency Actions & Safety Drills 

Richmond Middle School utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to ensure a fast, organized, and clear response to any safety or emergency situation. Throughout the year, we practice these drills so that every student and staff member knows exactly how to act. 

Look for the safety charts posted near the door in every room to find your designated emergency exits and assembly areas. 

1. HOLD 

"In Your Classroom or Area" Used when hallways need to be kept clear for an internal situation (such as a medical emergency). 

● What to do: Stay inside your current classroom. 

● Expectation: Keep working as normal. Do not leave the room or enter the hallways until an adult gives the "All Clear." 

2. SECURE 

"Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors." Used when there is a potential hazard or activity outside the school building in the surrounding neighborhood. 

● What to do: If you are outside on the fields or blacktop, immediately move indoors. 

● Expectation: All outside doors remain locked. Business continues as usual inside the building, but students and staff stay indoors. 

3. LOCKDOWN 

"Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" Used when there is an immediate threat or hazard inside the school building. 

● What to do: Move quickly out of sight, away from doors and windows. Maintain silence. 

● Expectation: Staff will lock the door, turn off the lights, and guide students to a safe zone inside the room. Do not open the door for anyone under any circumstances. 

4. EVACUATE (Includes Fire Drills) 

"To a Location" Used to move students and staff out of the building when staying inside is unsafe (such as fire, smoke, or gas). 

● What to do: Walk in a quiet, orderly manner via the nearest exit. 

● If unescorted: If the alarm sounds while you are in the restroom or hallway without a teacher, exit immediately through the nearest door and join your homeroom teacher outside. 

● Alternate Dismissal Site: Because a real evacuation may prevent us from returning to the building, families and caregivers should discuss a plan for how students will travel home if school is dismissed from our alternate site (The Ray School). 

5. SHELTER 

"State the Hazard and Safety Strategy" Used for environmental hazards or severe weather condition needs (such as high winds or earthquakes). 

● What to do: Listen carefully to the specific PA announcement for the safety strategy (such as "Shelter for Severe Weather, Drop, Cover, and Hold"). 

● If unescorted: If a shelter action is called while you are in the hallway or restroom, enter the nearest classroom with an adult present immediately and follow their instructions. 

                                                           

Visitors                                                      

All visitors will utilize the locked entry speaker to gain entrance. After signing the visitors’ log, all visitors must wear a visitor’s pass.                                                       

Student Guests                                                       

Students may bring a middle school age guest to school with prior permission (at least one day in advance) of the principal and the teachers involved. The visit may be for one half day and may not occur during the first or last month of school, on days when field trips are planned, or the day before a vacation. The student guest needs to provide contact information to the main office and wear a visitor’s name tag. Hosts are expected to introduce their guests to all relevant adults as well as friends.