Practice Safety Drills at LJMS
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Every school facility in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has in place crisis management and emergency preparedness plans, designed with the help of the school system’s security planning staff, local law enforcement, and emergency management officials. These plans include procedures to respond to critical incidents, such as fire and tornadoes, and we practice these drills regularly. Currently, we participate in a fire drill once a week within the first twenty instructional days of the new school year and once a month thereafter. We also participate in a tornado drill in March. Additionally, all Fairfax County Public Schools participate in a drill called a lockdown drill.
The purpose of this drill is to practice our procedures in the event of an actual emergency and typically lasts no longer than 10 minutes. Clear announcements and communications will go out within the school building during the drill. Here is a general overview of our Lockdown Drill Procedures:
● All areas in the building must be secured
● Teachers must remain in place with students
● Once the announcement has been made, staff will scan the halls and gather students into their classrooms.
● Classroom doors must be locked, windows covered, blinds closed, and lights off.
● Staff and students will move away from doors and windows, sit on the floor, and remain quiet.
Please know that we will be conducting the first of our mandatory Lockdown drills on September 12, 2019 at 1 PM. The second one is scheduled for September 26, 2019 at 1PM.
Thank you,
Michael Magliola, Principal
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