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Before students returned back to school on Monday, August 12, HSD teachers and staff  participated in safety workshops for the ALICE program. ALICE stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate. The training is provided by the St. Louis County Police Tactical Operations Unit.

ALICE training teaches that finding a safe escape route or disabling a dangerous intruder when practical can be more effective in preventing massive causalities. The training teaches that assessing a situation correctly and responding appropriately is the most effective way to save lives.

Participants engage in mock scenarios in classrooms to practice what they have learned.

During the 2012-2013 school year, all district safety measures, procedures and plans were revised. One of the components of the revision was to include the ALICE training. All employee groups in the district will receive the training.

“We have worked diligently to update our safety procedures and practices,” said Julia Burke-Thorpe, assistant superintendent for student services.

“The ALICE workshops are effective trainings for our staff. I would like to thank members of the St. Louis County Police Tactical Operations Unit for leading the training, along with the Florissant and Hazelwood police departments, for their support.”

“Safety is our No. 1 priority. We have the safety and best interests of our students in mind at all time and this is just another measure to ensure that we are doing all that we can to equip our staff with the knowledge required to protect our children,” said Burke-Thorpe.