Words matter. Clear communication about school safety not only benefits teachers, staff, and students but also helps families and the community understand what is happening inside a school in the event of an emergency.

DMPS has partnered with the I Love U Guys Foundation (ILUG) to adopt a Standard Response Protocol (SRP) – a common vocabulary and set of actions for emergencies.

The ILUG Foundation was created by the parents of a Colorado student who was killed when a gunman entered her classroom and took several students hostage. Her last text to her parents was, “I Love U Guys.” The ILUG Foundation works with 50,000 schools, law enforcement agencies, and organizations throughout the United States, Canada, and eleven other countries to implement best safety practices.

The Standard Response Protocol is centered around five actions in an emergency. Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter. It is important to use the correct terminology for each so that everyone – in the building and at home – understands what happens next.

About Standard Response Protocol

HOLD: This means students will leave the hallways and remain in a room or area until an “All Clear” is announced. Classroom instruction will continue as normal. (An example would be a medical emergency when EMTs need to make it through the hallways quickly.)

SECURE: This means students outside of the building will return inside and the exterior doors will remain secured. Teachers and staff will increase situational awareness, and instruction will continue as normal. (An example would be when police respond to a robbery at a nearby business.)

LOCKDOWN: This is an extremely serious situation in which a threat to life and safety is inside the building. Classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, students will move away from windows and doors and maintain silence. Teachers and staff will be prepared to help students defend themselves. (An example would be an active shooter.)

EVACUATE: Students will leave everything behind except for their phones (if possible) and follow instructions on how to move out of the building. Students, teachers, and staff may move to a second location away from the school. (Examples would be a fire or gas leak inside the building.)

SHELTER: Students, teachers, and staff may leave a room to find a shelter area, but safety strategies may vary depending on the type of emergency. (A common example requiring shelter in Iowa would be in the event of a tornado warning.)

What can families do to help?

Do not call the school. In the event of an emergency, parents will receive information and updates. We ask families not to call the school so phone lines can remain open in the event additional help needs to be summoned to the building.

Update your contact information. Please be sure your contact information is correct in Infinite Campus so we can reach you in the event of an emergency. If you need help updating your information, contact your student’s school office.

Know that your school is prepared. All school leadership, teachers, and staff are trained to use the Standard Response Protocol in the event of an emergency. Classroom doors are secured during instructional time — an ILUG best safety practice. Your school leadership, with district support, will keep you updated should there be a Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, or Shelter event. Hold events are usually minor inconveniences for students and staff and may not require formal communication with families.

Know that the district has made significant investments into public safety and school security over the last decade. School doors are secured daily, and visitors must proceed through an office to be identified before proceeding into the common areas. More than a thousand cameras are active throughout the district with technology that alerts our 24-hour public safety staff to potential threats, and records events for review by staff and Des Moines police.

The Standard Response Protocol is another layer of security, creating a common vocabulary and set of actions for teachers, staff, students, and families.

To download a copy of our Standard Response Protocol handout for families, follow the links below:

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