Safety in action: ALICE training returns to RHS

By Christine Oteri, Staff Writer

10/8/25

ROCKLAND- Rockland High students have started to ask more about ALICE training, the active shooter protocol in the Rockland Public Schools. The first student ALICE drill is scheduled to happen later this month.

ALICE refers to this list of options students and staff should consider in case of emergency:

A-Alert (Being aware of the treat)

L-Lockdown (Secure the area if evacuation is not safe)

I-Inform (Communicate information to others)

C-Counter (As last resort, disrupt or distract the intruder)

E-Evacuate (Safely remove yourself from danger if you can)

Due to the increase of gun violence in the past years, students and staff have asked to highlight the importance of ALICE training and how it can impact the readiness of the school members.

“[While it’s] sad that it is necessary, ALICE training is good in the crazy world we live in at the moment,” said Rockland History Department Chairperson Mr. Greg Rowe.

Rockland students are wanting different styles of drills to be more realistic.

Rockland High School junior Nola Finn said, “I would like to see more expansion on other possible scenarios…most real-world shootings are not perfect textbook examples of what we are told to expect.”

The goal for ALICE training is to make students feel safe and prepared for if a situation were ever to happen.

Freshman Kayanna Hologitas said, “I feel much more ready if a situation were to happen because of the ALICE training we practice in the school.”

The people who run the ALICE training are Rockland High School Assistant Principal Kathleen Paulding and School Resource Officer Ethan Schnabel. 

Ms. Paulding said, “High school students have continually asked for different situations or an intensity increase.”

Rockland High School adopted the ALICE protocol eight or nine years ago after Ms. Paulding attended training in the program. 

Ms. Paulding said, “When I did the training, I felt as though we needed to bring it here.”

The drills for teachers and staff at Rockland High look a little different than the ones that the students and staff do together. Teachers are trained with the police department firing blanks into the hall to recognize the sound.

Ms. Paulding said, “In all honesty, I think students are a little bit less anxious about it than the teachers.”

Students can use ALICE for other situations outside of school, making them safer and ready for an emergency.

“[The takeaway for ALICE is to] be aware of your surroundings and to try and make the best decision you can in the moment,” said Ms. Paulding.

Officer Schnabel said, “paying attention and making sure you are aware of your surroundings” is what he wants students to take away from the training.