Standard Response Protocol

Rochester Public Schools uses the Standard Response Protocol in response to emergencies that may occur in our school buildings. Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol throughout the year.

In the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a "Term of Art" and is then followed by a "Directive." Execution of the action is performed by active participants, including students, staff, teachers, and first responders. The same terminology will be communicated to parents/caregivers via messaging from the district. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.

Download the Standard Response Protocols one page document in the languages below.

Chris Lingen

Director of School Safety

507.328.4300 | Email Chris

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Hold

"Hold" is the protocol used when hallways need to be kept clear of occupants. "Hold" is followed by the directive: "In Your Room or Area."

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Secure

"Secure" is the protocol that safeguards people within the building when there is a threat or hazard outside of the building. "Secure" is followed by the directive "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors."

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Lockdown

"Lockdown" is called when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building and is the protocol used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in place. "Lockdown" is followed by the directive: "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight." Note that we are still using the ABCs during lockdown.

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Evacuate

"Evacuate" is called when there is a need to move people from one location to another for safety reasons. "Evaucate to a [stated location]" is the directive that will be given.

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Shelter

"Shelter" is called when specific protective actions are needed based on a threat or hazard.

Hazards might include:

  • Tornado

  • Hazmat

  • Earthquake

  • Tsunami

Safety Strategies might include:

  • Evacuate to the shelter area.

  • Seal the room.

  • Drop, cover, and hold.

  • Get to high ground.

Videos

Below are videos that we share with our students on what to expect with the Standard Response Protocol.

Notifications

If a notification has to be sent out about an incident using SRP, parents/caregivers will be notified via

  • Alerts (email, phone calls, text messages)

  • School and District websites

  • Push notifications on the RPS app

  • RPS' social media (Facebook and Instagram)

Please note: if you have asked to be removed from our mailing lists, you will not receive emails, phone calls, or texts. You will have to receive the information via one of the other channels listed above.

Drills

As a school district, we are required to conduct five drills during the school year. These drills prepare students for a variety of scenarios and include hold, evacuations, secure, shelter, and lockdown. Note that RPS does not conduct active-shooter simulations.

Before your student’s school conducts a lockdown drill, the school admin will send home information about the lockdown drill. Parents will have the option to opt their students out of a drill. Please contact your principal with any questions.