October 5, 2018
Dear Vining Community,
The Billerica Public Schools, in conjunction with the
Billerica Police and Fire Departments, adopted the ALICE protocol during the
2015-2016 school year for our lockdown procedure. Although lockdown (“shelter in place”) will
remain a viable option, when appropriate, the Departments of Homeland Security
and Justice have recommended implementing the ALICE protocol.
What does ALICE
mean?
Alert: We will get the word out using clear, concise
language and describe the location of the event.
Lockdown: This is still a good starting point. We will continue to lockdown students in
secure areas, and will increase effectiveness through the use of barricading.
Inform: Keeping the staff and students informed
continually allows for good decision making.
Counter: Only to be used as a last resort. In the event an intruder enters an area, do
whatever possible to distract, confuse and gain control.
Evacuate: If safe, evacuate the building to get away
from potential harm.
Implementing this protocol will improve our chances to keep
our students and faculty safe, if the need should ever arise. This protocol is not encouraging our teachers
or students to subdue an intruder in our building, but it will provide them
with options to enhance their ability to survive an unthinkable incident. Our training emphasizes the best manner to
survive a violent intruder is to escape.
However, when that is not an option, being mentally prepared and having
the authority to act will save lives.
The Vining School is scheduled for Wednesday, October 10, 2018 to conduct our ALICE protocol. Billerica Police will be present to support
this drill. We are asking that if you need to dismiss your child, please do so before 9:30am or after 11:00am.
Enjoy your long weekend,
Mrs. Christine Gibelli
Principal