Safe Schools Week: Learning about ALICE

Today we’re sharing about our ALICE drill protocols and what our students are learning as each school completes their ALICE drill this week.

ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. All Berkley Schools staff are annually trained in ALICE. ALICE Training says, “At ALICE Training, we believe that individuals should be prepared for active shooter events and empowered to make their own life-saving decisions.“ As part of our training, we are layering on the role of students during an incident that would require an ALICE response. Informing students about ALICE is important. Our crisis team worked to create a template and curriculum that is focused on being educational and informative, but also sensitive to the worries that students have about this topic.

During a school ALICE drill, the following actions take place:

• The Principal will make an announcement to talk about the drill and what to expect.
• Students will learn more about ALICE in the classroom.
  • Elementary: All teachers will read the I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared book. This book will teach students the basics of an ALICE response. Along with the book, teachers will be holding classroom discussions about the layout of their classrooms and how they pertain to ALICE in an age appropriate way. The messages will always focus on students listening to their trusted adults in the building on how to respond during a situation that requires an ALICE response.
  • Secondary: Students will watch a short, nonviolent ALICE instructional video in their classrooms. This video will teach them the basics of an ALICE response. Along with that video, teachers will be holding classroom discussions about the layout of their classrooms and how they pertain to ALICE.
• The principal will make an announcement sharing a specific scenario and start the drill.
• Teachers will hold classroom discussions, walking through the potential responses based upon ALICE training.
• The principal will make a final announcement concluding the drill and reassuring students.

Before this drill takes place, the principal will send an email message to their school community outlining what will take place to ensure caregivers are informed.

In a real emergency, the teacher, using what they have learned in ALICE training, may evacuate the class or the teacher may do a traditional lockdown while barricading their door, if that’s the best option for their class. We will reassure students that our schools are safe and the adults in the schools will continue to do all they can to make sure each child is safe. We'll also remind students that if they feel unsafe for any reason, they should let an adult know as soon as possible. Reinforcing this message at home is a great idea.

Tomorrow, our Safe Schools Week message will be focused on community resources and mental health.