Crisis Communications

Pinkerton Academy understands the stress that emergency/crisis situations create for our families. The following information can help families understand when and how to expect emergency communication from Pinkerton.

We use the Standard Response Protocol below in emergency situations. We will communicate in all situations that cause a disruption of normal operation or instruction during a school day.

Image with I love u guys logo, Pinkerton logo, and images for 5 SRP actions

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is a nationally recognized, easy-to-understand system that provides clear actions to respond to emergencies. You can read more about it on the “I Love U Guys” Foundation website.

The SRP uses five simple, action-based terms that everyone can remember and follow: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.

SRP Protocols

 

White geometric door-shaped logo with a vertical bar and round knob, diagonally sliced, on a purple circular background.

HOLD

Hold is followed by the Directive: "In Your Room or Area" and is the protocol used when hallways need to be kept clear of occupants. This might be used in instances like medical emergencies. 

 

Two open white palms centered on a blue circular background

SECURE

Secure is followed by the Directive: "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors" and is the protocol used to safeguard people within the building. This may be used if there is a potential threat nearby like a wild animal or police activity. 

 

Padlock icon (locked) centered on red circular background

LOCKDOWN

Lockdown is followed by "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" and is the protocol used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in place. Lockdown would be called in a violent intruder situation. 

 

Three simplified human figures holding hands inside a green circle

Evacuate

Evacuate may be followed by a location, and is used to move people from one location to a different location (in or out of the building).

 

Person icon standing beneath a stylized roof inside an orange circular badge

SHELTER

Shelter may be used for hazards like earthquakes or tornadoes. The announcement will name the Hazard and Safety Strategy for group and self protection.

How and when does Pinkerton communicate in emergency or crisis situations? 

The nature of an emergency will dictate how quickly you will hear from the school, who the message will come from, and what is shared. 

  • If it is an active situation, the messages will most often come from the Director of Communications with follow-up messaging coming from the Head of School or Associate Head of School at the end of the event.
     
  • Communications will be sent via email and text messaging (and sometimes phone) using ParentSquare to ensure it reaches all families in their preferred language. 

Crisis Communications Examples

We will communicate any time SECURE, LOCKDOWN, EVACUATE, or SHELTER are initiated. We may not communicate for a HOLD if it does not impact most of campus.

For some examples of how and when we will communicate in an emergency, view our crisis communication examples.

What is NOT included in Emergency/Crisis Communications to Families?
  • Student information - Pinkerton Academy is legally bound to protect student privacy and will not share information that can identify an individual student or students. Please visit the section about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) on our website for more information. 
  • Information that might hinder any active law enforcement investigations. 
  • Information might not be shared with all families if a situation is not a safety threat beyond a specific group, classroom, or bus. Only the affected families might be notified. 
  • If there is no safety threat or disruption to normal school operations -- for example, a HOLD due to a medical issue on campus that does not result in holding bells or an altercation on campus that only affects the people involved -- information will only be provided to the families of the individuals involved.