Emergency Response

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board’s first priority is always the safety, security and well-being of our students and staff. While we hope our schools are never faced with an emergency situation, there may be instances where incidents can unfold, in or near, a KPR school.  In these circumstances, a school may have to follow emergency and crisis response procedures.

We encourage families and all members of our school communities to become familiar with the information and procedures outlined on this page.

Partnership with Local Police Services

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has a longstanding relationship with local police services, and our partnership is responsive to ongoing practices around student safety and well-being. During a crisis or emergency situation, school principals work in cooperation with the police in a coordinated and multifaceted approach to support the safety and protection of students.

Communication with Families

All decisions, including those related to communications, are made with the safety and well-being of students in mind.

KPR staff follow the direction of local police services during a threatening situation or crisis incident.  To ensure everyone’s safety, KPR will not use Twitter or other social media to communicate information about such situations, unless specifically instructed by the police.

KPR encourages staff, students and families not to engage in social media to access or communicate unconfirmed information while a situation is in progress, as it may impede emergency personnel response and/or compromise measures to contain the safety threat.

Based on the specific circumstances and when it is safe to do so, schools will typically follow up by sending communication to families in consultation with local police services.

Emergency Response Procedures

Each school has its own confidential Emergency Response Plan, and will schedule practice lockdown procedures throughout the school year so that students and staff are prepared.  Additional information can also be found in the Board’s Emergency Preparedness Administration Regulation.

Lockdown: A Lockdown is initiated when there is a threat of danger inside the school or on the school site.

Hold and Secure: A Hold and Secure is initiated when there is a threat of danger outside or nearby the school. They are most commonly initiated at the request of local police services.

Shelter-in-Place: A Shelter-in-Place is initiated when there is an external environmental threat or environmental danger (e.g., extreme weather conditions).

Bomb Threat: A Bomb-Threat is initiated when the presence of a bomb is reported or suspected.