Questions regarding lockdown procedures at OHS have risen to ensure the safety of students and faculty.

In each room, there is a multicolored Orono Public Schools Emergency Plan available for teachers and students to reference in preparation for an emergency. There are three tabs regarding the instances of a shooting, an intruder or a lockdown procedure. According to the emergency plan, there are actually only two procedures for lockdown instances in OHS. The first procedure is a “lockdown with warning – the threat is outside of the school building. The school may have been notified of a potential threat outside of the building.”

In this instance, an office administrator would announce on the public address (PA) system the procedures for a “lockdown with warning.” These procedures include having teachers “bring people inside [the classroom], locking exterior doors, clearing hallways, restrooms and other rooms that cannot be secured, pull[ing down] shades…keeping students away from windows” and “locking classroom doors and windows” according to the plan.

Once all of these steps are completed, teachers may resume with class while waiting for an office administrator to announce an “all clear.” The second procedure is for a “lockdown with intruder – The threat/intruder is inside the building” according to the Orono Public Schools Emergency Plan. In this situation, an office administrator would announce “lockdown with intruder” on the PA system.

From there, teachers must “immediately direct all students, staff and visitors into the nearest classroom or secured place, lock classroom doors and windows, move people away from windows and doors, turn off lights, keep out of sight, take attendance of those present and absent, and DO NOT respond to anyone at the door unless it is law enforcement” according to the emergency plan. Students and faculty must “wait for assistance from law enforcement” and must not leave the room until each “room is individually dismissed by law enforcement.” This situation requires cooperation from teachers and students to effectively keep people safe.

While students may feel pressured to open a door for a person who is trying to gain access to the school other than through the main office, it is extremely important that students do not let any person into OHS via any other door. Visitor entry through the main office is the surest way to prevent an intruder from getting in.

Throughout Orono Public Schools, “The safety of all children in the community is first priority,” said Superintendent of Schools Karen Orcutt.

To ensure the safety of all people, students must follow all emergency plan procedures.“Lockdown means lockdown,” said Principal Dave Benson.

Margeaux Dittrich is the Arts & Entertainment Editor for The Spartan Speaks.