In the event of an emergency, clarity is key.
Here are the terms you need to know. The terms are part of the Standard Response Protocol adopted across the state:
Lockdown 
A LOCKDOWN is a direct threat or hazard to people or school property. Threats can include parental custody disputes, intruders in/on the campus, active shooters or any other event that threatens the lives of students and staff. “Lockdown” uses classrooms and school security actions to protect students and staff from threats.
What students and staff hear:
"Attention!" Lockdown immediately! There is an urgent safety threat at this facility. Lockdown immediately!"
Example:
There is a person causing a severe safety threat on the property.
What it means:
There could be a report of an armed intruder or any person who is posing a possible direct threat to the campus and the students, staff, and visitors present.
What we'll do:
Arlington ISD Security and local law enforcement will work together to identify and contain the threat as fast as possible.
What you should do:
Understand that telephones at the school or location will go unanswered. Staff are in lockdown for their protection and will not answer phones. Look for updates by text message, email, or the campus Facebook page. The scene is unsafe. Stay a safe distance away and wait for instructions from the district and law enforcement.
Secure
SecureSECURE is a threat or hazard outside of the school building. Whether it's due to police activity in the immediate neighborhood or a dangerous animal on the playground, "Secure" uses the security of the physical facility to act as protection. There is no immediate threat to students or staff and the school day continues inside classrooms.
What you'll hear:
"Secure! Get inside and close all doors. Secure! Get inside and close all outside doors. Students and staff, due to a nearby emergency, no one is allowed in our out of the building at this time, and students must stay with their teachers."
Example:
There is police activity in the area; there is a barking dog on the playground; there is a suspicious vehicle parked near the football field.
What it means:
The situation does not currently pose a known threat as long as students, staff and visitors are inside the building.
What we'll do:
Get all students, staff, and visitors inside the building, lock all doors from the inside, monitor the situation and send notifications to families and staff.
What you should do:
Look for text and email updates. Because the threat is not in the school, it is unsafe for you to come to the school as it could place you near the external threat. Please do not come to the school during a secure event.
Hold
HoldWhat you'll hear:
"Hold in your room or area. Clear the halls."
Example:
A medical emergency occurs in the building and the nurse and EMS need space to respond.
What it means:
Hold is called when the hallways need to be kept clear, even during class changes.
What we'll do:
School administration will announce to the school to hold. Students will clear the hallway and remain in their room or area until "All Clear" is announced. Teaching and learning will continue in the classrooms. Teachers and staff will close and lock doors, account for students and adults, and continue teaching and learning.
Evacuate
EvacuateWhat you'll hear:
"Evacuate! Please exit the building quickly and safely."
Example:
A fire alarm has gone off.
What it means:
A building or portion of the building has become unsafe or unusable and students and staff need to exit or relocate.
What we'll do:
When given the evacuation notice, students and staff will exit the building to their assigned locations.
What you should do:
If the building is evacuated, parents will be notified via email and text and provided any instructions if needed.
Shelter - Weather
Shelter - WeatherWhat you'll hear:
"Shelter for severe weather! Go to your assigned safe zone! Shelter for severe weather! Go to your assigned safe zone!
Example:
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Tarrant County.
What it means:
A Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm WARNING means that the hazard has been spotted or is indicated on radar.
What we'll do:
Arlington ISD staff, students, and visitors will move to the safest locations within each facility affected by the warning and take cover until the severe weather passes. We will notify families when, where, and how to pick up students as quickly as possible after the storm has passed.
What you should do:
Take shelter in the nearest safe location, away from windows and on the ground floor if possible. Know that school personnel are getting your kids to safety. Do not drive to the school as vehicles are unsafe during severe wind, hail, and flooding events. Look for updates by text message, email, or the campus Facebook page.
Shelter - Hazmat
What you'll hear:
"Shelter for a hazardous materials emergency! Go to your assigned safe zones! Shelter for a hazardous materials emergency! Go to your assigned safe zone!"
Example:
A train or large truck carrying chemicals is involved in an accident and there is a release of dangerous substances that first responders have deemed a threat to public safety.
What it means:
First responders have declared that the area outside of the facility is not safe at that time. No one will be allowed to leave the facility, or enter it from the outside.
What we'll do:
Students, staff, and visitors will shelter in place within each facility, and Arlington ISD Facility Services will close off the outside air to the facility and remain in constant communication with Arlington Fire officials for further instructions.
What you should do:
Stay away from the facility and look for updates by text message, email, or the campus Facebook page.
**Important Note**
Any of the above types of emergencies could result in delays in the normal drop-off or release schedule for a campus. We will provide frequent updates to families with schedule changes and drop-off or pick-up locations.
Important Phone Numbers
Emergency: 911
Arlington Police Department: (817) 459-5700
Arlington Fire Department: 817-459-5500
Arlington ISD Security Dispatch: (682) 867-7730 and (817) 459-7699
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
National Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
5 Minutes, 5 Actions: The Standard Response Protocol (SRP)
Communication
In a crisis, accurate information matters.
We are in constant contact with our local Police Departments' command staffs, and we will relay that information directly to the families of our students.
Notification Chart
| Type of Emergency | SMS Text Message | Arlington ISD App | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lockdown |
Parents Campus Staff |
Parents Campus Staff |
Campus |
|
|
Secure |
Parents Campus Staff |
Parents Campus Staff |
||
|
Weather – No Warning - Shelter |
Parents Campus Staff |
Parents Campus Staff |
Campus District |
|
|
Weather - Warning - Shelter |
Parents Campus Staff |
Parents All Staff |
Campus District |
|
|
Hazmat - Shelter |
Parents Campus Staff |
Parents Campus Staff |
Campus |
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When it comes to your child's safety,
we rely on the experts.
Multidisciplinary Student Support
The main goal of the MSS is to promote a safe school environment by:
- Identifying students who may pose a risk for violence to self and/or others
- Assess their risk for engaging in violence or other harmful activities
- Develop intervention strategies to address the underlying problem that stimulated the behavior
On Campus Security & Safety
Arlington ISD's Security Department Command Staff is comprised of the director, security specialist and two security lieutenants. Each of the Command Staff members has over 25 years of security and emergency response experience. An additional 130 security guards are positioned across the district.
In addition, Arlington ISD contracts with the Arlington Police Department to have highly trained Arlington Police Officers assigned as full-time School Resource Officers (SROs).
From our partners at the Arlington Police Department
See Something, Say Something
Fake Threat. Real Regret.
Anti-Bullying Efforts
At Arlington ISD, the safety of every student matters to us. One aspect of keeping students safe is doing all we can to ensure no student experiences bullying on school premises. If bullying occurs it should be reported.
Defining Bullying
Bullying is defined as engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that occurs on school property, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, or in a vehicle operated by the district and the Board of Trustees or the Board’s designee determines that the behavior:
- Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property; or is sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student.
- This conduct is considered bullying if it: •exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator who is engaging in bullying and the student victim through the written or verbal expression or physical conduct; and interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.
Cyberbullying is defined as the use of any electronic communication device to engage in bullying or intimidation.
Harassment is defined as repeated threats to cause harm or bodily injury to another student, engaging in intimidating conduct, causing physical damage to the property of another student, subjecting another student to physical confinement or restraint, or maliciously taking any action that substantially harms another student’s physical or emotional health or safety.
Sexual Harassment means to repeatedly engage in unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually abusive or vulgar language or other verbal, visual or physical conduct if such conduct with a student or staff creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive school environment.
Dating violence is the intentional use of physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse by a person to harm, threaten, intimidate or control another person with whom the student has or has had a dating relationship, as defined by §71.0021 of the Family Code.
How to Report Bullying
What should a student do if they believe they are being bullied (including cyber bullying), sexually harassed, or are a victim of dating violence?
The student should immediately notify appropriate school personnel, which would include a classroom teacher, a counselor or an administrator of any such behaviors, in accordance with district policy FFH (Local). There is also an option to report bullying anonymously by calling Campus Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at 817-469-8477 or online at www.469tips.com.
You can also report anonymously using the STOPit website. Users can download the STOPit app from the App Store or Google Play.
See Arlington ISD Board of Trustees Policies FFH and FFI for detailed information.
Learn more about what kids, teens and adults can do about bullying at www.stopbullying.gov
Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to keep our students and staff safe.
