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In a school district that I visited, I noticed taped to one wall in every classroom was a black X on a pink sheet of paper. When I asked a teacher the purpose of this symbol, the teacher explained, “That’s where we hide during a lockdown.”
This school district utilizes an easy to recognize control feature to speed up their lockdowns. This technique which is impossible to miss is a tremendous benefit to new teachers, students, staff members, and substitutes because it does the thinking for them—hide here! This is the best place!
I love the concept. It’s simple, super easy to understand and implement, inexpensive, and plays to our natural strength. People are very visual and visual cues are great for helping to achieve specific behaviors. In this instance—it’s speeding up lockdowns by reducing confusion.
If you think this might help your district, here are 3 points to consider before implementation.
Should you choose to implement this technique, be very visible when you do and let the staff know why you’re doing it—to make the school day safer and our lives better.
Teachers will appreciate the individual attention and concern for them and their students! It will help to lower their anxiety and at the same time increase their trust in the school leadership. This way you not only make your school safer but you also enhance your school culture.
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