Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is rolling out a new, standardized safety protocol for all its schools to streamline responses during emergency situations. The new system is based on the nationally recognized Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the "I Love U Guys" Foundation.
The primary goal of this initiative is to create a common language among students, staff, and first responders, ensuring clear and consistent communication during a crisis. The protocol is built around five specific, actionable commands.
Key Takeaways
- Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is implementing the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for all emergencies.
- The protocol establishes five clear actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
- This change aims to standardize emergency language across the district for students, staff, and first responders.
- All schools are required to conduct drills using the new protocol by the end of October.
- Parental groups have raised questions about accountability and transparent implementation of the new system.
A New Framework for School Safety
The new safety measures being introduced across Montgomery County schools are designed to simplify the complex and often chaotic nature of an emergency. By adopting the Standard Response Protocol, MCPS is moving away from ambiguous codes and toward plain language that is easy to understand and act upon quickly.
This system is used by thousands of school districts across the country. Its effectiveness lies in its simplicity, ensuring that in a high-stress situation, everyone involved knows precisely what is expected of them without needing to interpret confusing signals.
The Five Standard Responses
The protocol is based on five distinct actions, each corresponding to a specific type of threat or hazard:
- Hold: Used to clear hallways, typically during a medical emergency. Students and staff remain in their classrooms or area.
- Secure: Implemented when there is a threat or hazard outside the school building. All exterior doors are locked, and normal classroom activities continue inside.
- Lockdown: Enacted when there is an immediate threat inside the school. All classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, and everyone moves out of sight.
- Evacuate: Called when students and staff need to move out of the building to a designated location.
- Shelter: Used for specific hazards like a tornado or hazmat incident, requiring specific safety strategies.
MCPS officials stated that the adoption of the SRP standardizes communication not only within the school but also with external partners. This ensures that police, fire, and emergency medical services are on the same page as school personnel during a critical incident, potentially reducing response times and confusion.
Implementation and Training Timeline
To ensure a smooth transition to the new protocol, MCPS has established a clear timeline for training and practice drills. School administrators received comprehensive training on the Standard Response Protocol during a leadership summit held in August.
Following the administrative training, the focus has shifted to school-wide implementation. According to the district, all MCPS schools are mandated to complete a series of emergency drills using the five new procedures by the end of October. This requirement ensures that both staff and students have the opportunity to practice the specific actions before a real emergency occurs.
An MCPS representative confirmed the training schedule. "Administrators received Safety Response Protocol training during the summer leadership summit in August," the official stated. "All MCPS schools are required to complete a series of emergency drills by the end of October to practice these new procedures."
These drills will also cover other critical safety elements, including procedures for reuniting families with their children after an emergency. The district emphasized that schools will review how staff and students should respond to various types of serious threats, making the drills a comprehensive safety exercise.
About the 'I Love U Guys' Foundation
The Standard Response Protocol was developed by the "I Love U Guys" Foundation, a non-profit organization created by Ellen and John-Michael Keyes. They founded the organization after their daughter, Emily, was killed in the 2006 Platte Canyon High School shooting. The foundation's name comes from the last text message Emily sent to her parents during the crisis. Its mission is to restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions, creating safe schools and communities.
Parental Concerns and District Accountability
While the goal of a standardized protocol has been widely accepted, some community members have raised important questions about its execution and the accountability measures in place.
Ricky Ribeiro, the Outgoing PTSA President of Kennedy High School, voiced concerns about the practical application of the new rules. He stressed that having a policy is only the first step and that consistent enforcement is crucial for its success.
"It's one thing to have the protocol, but if schools fail to follow it, what's the consequence? What's the accountability and will that be done in a way that's transparent and public and fair and consistent?" Ribeiro asked.
These questions highlight a common concern among parents: ensuring that safety plans are not just documents on a shelf but are actively and correctly implemented in every school. The desire for transparency is a key part of building trust between the school district and the families it serves.
MCPS Responds to Community Questions
In response to inquiries about accountability and public input, MCPS provided statements clarifying its position and the support systems in place for school administrators.
When asked about the consequences for schools that fail to follow the protocol, a representative for the school system replied, “The safety and security in our schools is in everyone’s best interest and administrators are provided with the supports needed to implement this protocol.”
The district also addressed the question of why public comment was not sought before the new protocols were released. According to MCPS, the decision was based on the proven effectiveness and widespread adoption of the SRP.
"MCPS adopted the SRP because it standardizes communication for students, staff, community and first responders, to ensure consistency and reduce confusion during a crisis," the district explained. The implication is that the SRP is a best-practice standard, and the priority was to implement this established system efficiently to enhance safety across the district.
As schools begin conducting their mandatory drills, the focus for many parents and community members will be on how effectively these new, clearer procedures are integrated into the daily fabric of school life, and how the district ensures every school meets the new standard.
