Keeping everyone safe at our school is always our top priority! Just as we have done for several years now, we will be completing a series of safety drills this school year (as required by Ohio Law). We have found that this format of drills has been very effective in educating our students for the remote possibility of an emergency and does so in a kid-friendly manner that is not scary for our students. Below you will find the types of drills we will be conducting and a short description about each drill. Should you have any questions regarding our School Safety Drill procedures, please contact your child's teacher or Mr. Roach at roach_j@nrschools.org or 752-1432.
**All dates are tentative
Drill #1- Classroom Theoretical Activity- Feb. 9-12, 2026
Teachers will read and discuss the book I’m Not Scared...I’m Prepared! Because I know all about ALICE. The teacher at the Ant Hill School wants her students to be prepared - for everything! One day, she teaches her students what to do if a "dangerous someone" is in their school. By using this book, children can develop a better understanding of what needs to be done if they ever encounter a "dangerous someone."
Drill #2- Lock Down Drill- Feb. 20, 2026
During this drill, students learn what to do if we are ever faced with a situation where we need to lock-down the school. It begins with a staff member announcing on the PA System that the school needs to be locked down. All students then go into the nearest classroom. All classroom doors are shut (and locked). Students move into the corner of the classroom away from doors and windows, turn off the lights, and hide quietly until it is safe for them to resume class.
Drill #3- Counter Drill- Feb. 27, 2026
In the rare occasion that students are faced with a “dangerous someone” and the other drill types are not workable options, students are taught to work together to “counter” the threat. The idea is to keep the threat off balance and provide resistance. During this drill, the principal walks about the school and enters classrooms wearing a mask (usually a silly mask to keep the students from feeling threatened). Upon the principal entering the classroom, students throw wadded up paper balls to distract and disorient the intruder. When the students work together and are all throwing objects at once, it really puts the intruder off balance and allows students to then escape the situation. During the drill, the principal will use the word “safety” to alert students to stop and then will spend time with each class discussing the drill. Students do not typically feel scared during the drill, but the discussion afterward assures this. We also do not evacuate after this counter drill, but that is an option for them if faced with a “dangerous someone”.
Drill #4- Evacuation Drill- March 20, 2026
In the event that our students need to escape the building from a “dangerous someone”, they are taught to go to a designated Rally Point off school grounds. During this drill, all students walk orderly as a class to the rally point, attendance is taken, and the police are present as observers. Should we need to go to a sheltered area, the police will escort our students to our designated Reunification Point. We do not typically practice moving to the Reunification Point during the drill...only the designated Rally Point.
