St. James‐Assiniboia School Division has developed many policies and procedures to provide a meaningful, safe, and caring environment for staff and students. Two of the procedures are (a) Hold and Secure and (b) Lockdown. It’s important to know the difference between the two procedures to avoid confusion and undue anxiety.
A) Hold and SecureA
Hold and Secure may occur if a serious situation is taking place in the community and can be unrelated to the school. A school-based administrator or the Winnipeg Police Service may initiate a hold and secure notification. During a
Hold and Secure situation, it is “business as usual” within the school, except all outdoor activities move indoors. Principals ensure students and staff do not leave the building (Hold) and all doors are locked (Secure) and monitored by staff to prevent entry by unknown persons. Once the situation is resolved, police will notify the principal and the
Hold and Secure will be lifted.
B) LockdownA
Lockdown is a very serious and rare event. Lockdowns are a response to immediate physical danger or a credible threat of physical danger such as a threat with a weapon, in the school or on school property. During a
Lockdown event, all staff and students quickly move to a pre‐determined secure safe zone away from hallways and other public areas. Police will attend and assume control of the situation. All schools have Lockdown Plans and perform Lockdown Drills to ensure all staff and students know what to do.
For more information, please follow up with your school principal as each school has a specific communication plan in place for the handling of Hold and Secure and Lockdown situations.
