Threat Response

WHAT HAPPENS IN A REAL CRISIS

If a threat leads to a real crisis – an actual event that disrupts class – every school has procedures in place to respond both during the event and as it reaches its conclusion. The following emergency responses are in place at every Lufkin ISD school to respond as a crisis takes place:

• Secure: School proceeds as normal, but external doors are locked. This is commonly used when police are working a situation not including but near a school.

• Lockdown: Students and staff remain in locked rooms with the lights off and remain out of sight. This is commonly used for an internal crisis.

• Evacuation: Students and staff go to a designated evacuation or reunification location. This is commonly used when a crisis concludes or if students can be safely transported during a crisis.

• Shelter: Students and staff go to a designated shelter area. This is commonly used for hazardous weather such as a possible tornado.

• Hold: Students and staff remain in their rooms and continue their school day, though halls are cleared. This is commonly used if a personal medical situation occurs and a response is required.

Once a major crisis concludes, students will be reunited with families. In more serious situations, students will be transported to a designated reunification area that the district will communicate to families. For the safety of students, this area is not publicized beforehand.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO

Students and families can assist Lufkin ISD by reporting any potential threat to the district or a campus administrator. Potential threats can be reported through this form.

Families should also encourage their children not to share threat rumors or knowingly false information. Instead, report any rumors through the aforementioned methods.

If an actual crisis occurs, families should not go to the crisis location. Additional cars and people can disrupt the ability of law enforcement to quickly respond in an emergency. In a crisis, wait for communication about a reunification area to support first responders as they work to protect students and staff.

Responding to Hoaxes

Lufkin ISD strongly believes hoaxes and false threats contribute to a less safe school environment. If hoaxes are routinely legitimized by our district, it emboldens perpetrators to continue these actions of spreading unnecessary fear and panic. This also has the added detriment of a legitimate crisis potentially being dismissed by families as an overreaction.

If no threat exists on a campus during an ongoing hoax or rumor, that may be communicated to families. However, additional details about the specific fake allegations will often be kept minimal to prevent further false information from spreading. Fake threats and hoaxes have no place in Lufkin ISD schools, and our district will work to prevent false threats from spreading and hold those responsible accountable.