The Plainfield Police Department will conduct early morning lock-down drills over the next several weeks at Plainfield high schools, according to a District 202 news release.
Officers will hold drills at Plainfield Central, North and East high schools to practice student, staff and parental response to a threat while students are arriving to school. The exercises are part of the district’s and police department’s continual efforts to ensure student and staff safety.
All three schools fall under Plainfield’s jurisdiction. The Joliet Police Department conducted similar drills at Plainfield South High School earlier this winter.
The first drill will be held at Plainfield North High School at 6:45 a.m. April 7. The drill will affect student drop-off, buses, student driving and parking on campus and entry into the school.
Plainfield High School – Central Campus will hold a similar drill at 6:50 a.m. April 12, and Plainfield East will hold its drill at 6:55 a.m. on April 19.
“District 202 has taken great steps in securing our buildings through school resource officers, camera monitoring systems and other security equipment,” said PNHS Dean of Students Julie Adelmann. “We are openly and proactively sharing this information so that parents and students are not alarmed by additional police presence.”
When the drill starts, a PNHS staff member will hold the car line and not allow any student to be dropped off until the drill is complete. This will take place at the corner where parents turn into the circle drive.
Parents in the line will keep their children in the car until the drill is complete. Students outside the building will be instructed to move quickly to a “safe zones” until the drill is complete. Those students and staff in the building will be directed to lock the building, classrooms and hide while remaining calm and quiet.
“Our students and staff are adept at practicing these drills with seriousness,” Adelmann said.
Normal arrival procedures will resume once PNHS staff and the police have secured the campus.
The drill should last no more than 15 minutes and students will be given additional time if needed.
Commuters near the school when the drill begins should be aware that all campus entrances and parking lots will be closed. Parents should circle the campus.
Students will be given additional time to arrive to school on time.