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Lewis & Clark Elementary School issues safety update

Posted at 4:11 PM, Sep 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-20 18:58:55-04

GREAT FALLS – Lewis & Clark Elementary School in Great Falls is emphasizing safety to its students and parents after receiving several reports of vehicles stopping and drivers asking children if they want a ride.

The school is located at 3800 1st Avenue South.

School officials say that they have notified the Great Falls Police Department, who are increasing patrols in the area.

The school also sent a note to parents explaining the situation, and said that they have gone over safety procedures with all students.

Here is a photo of the note:

Lewis and Clark Elementary School sent this note to parents.

Periodically, we remind people about safety and security policies in the Great Falls Public School District.

The GFPS website provides information and links that may be helpful, including this overview:

Here are the definitions of key safety terms used by the Great Falls Public School District:

  • Evacuation: Defined as an internal emergency that requires students and staff to leave the building for their safety. Parents should follow emergency notifications.
  • Lockdown: Defined as an internal and/or immediate threat. All staff and students are locked in rooms. No one IN or OUT!
  • Shelter In Place: Defined as a safety precaution for an external threat that is not an immediate or internal threat.
  • Class Hold: Defined as a safety precaution implemented during an incident where students need to be kept in the classroom.
  • Release with Care: Defined as a possible threat in the schools’ neighborhoods during arrival and release time.
  • Release with care procedures.
  • To ensure safety, the building administrator may ask staff to escort students to/from buses or waiting cars.
  • Staff may also be asked to accompany students home.

Student safety precautions for getting to and from school:

  • Students should walk in groups or pairs
  • Students should travel on a designated route, and parents should know the route their student is taking
  • Students should check in with a responsible individual when they arrive at home
  • Students should be taught to always be aware of their surroundings
  • Students should avoid alleys on their designated route to/from school
  • Students should walk on designated sidewalks and in well-lit areas
  • Parents should notify the school when after-school procedures change

Click here to visit the Safety section of the GFPS website.

Reporting by David Sherman for MTN News