a.l.i.c.e. PREPARES STAFF AND STUDENTS
BY gabriela riquelme
Violence at school is a reality millions of students in the United States face. According to data collected from the US Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security, there were 94-gun violence incidents in schools in 2018.
In 2016, the Anchorage School District adopted a training method called ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate). This method is more active than the former lockdown approach where a teacher and their students would be instructed to stay put and wait. ALICE encourages teachers to take matters into their own hands.
Anchorage’s teachers and staff go through ALICE training online. They are taught protocols and are given hypothetical scenarios to complete. Teachers are expected to pass on their training to students in their classrooms. The ALICE training institute provides teachers with age-appropriate training through workbooks and a children’s book called, “I’m not Scared…I’m Prepared.”
At Abbott Loop Elementary, Principal Arthur Sosa says his school completes an ALICE drill every school quarter. He believes his teachers are prepared for any scenario. Drills help the students prepare. “In the end, the teachers are responsible for the students. We are all responsible for the students,” Sosa said.
In 2016, the Anchorage School District adopted a training method called ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate). This method is more active than the former lockdown approach where a teacher and their students would be instructed to stay put and wait. ALICE encourages teachers to take matters into their own hands.
Anchorage’s teachers and staff go through ALICE training online. They are taught protocols and are given hypothetical scenarios to complete. Teachers are expected to pass on their training to students in their classrooms. The ALICE training institute provides teachers with age-appropriate training through workbooks and a children’s book called, “I’m not Scared…I’m Prepared.”
At Abbott Loop Elementary, Principal Arthur Sosa says his school completes an ALICE drill every school quarter. He believes his teachers are prepared for any scenario. Drills help the students prepare. “In the end, the teachers are responsible for the students. We are all responsible for the students,” Sosa said.
A – Alert: Sound an alarm using plain and specific language to alert others to the danger
L – Lockdown: Move to a secure location, lock the door and take action to better barricade the room. Prepare to evacuate or, as a last resort, counter.
I – Inform: Communicate the violent intruder’s location and direction in real time. The goal is that knowledge is the key to survival.
C - Counter: This is a last resort. Create noise, movement, distance and distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately. Counter is NOT fighting.
E – Evacuate: When safe to do so, remove yourself from the danger zone. The goal is to remove as many people from the situation as possible. Individuals are encouraged to always evacuate when possible.
L – Lockdown: Move to a secure location, lock the door and take action to better barricade the room. Prepare to evacuate or, as a last resort, counter.
I – Inform: Communicate the violent intruder’s location and direction in real time. The goal is that knowledge is the key to survival.
C - Counter: This is a last resort. Create noise, movement, distance and distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately. Counter is NOT fighting.
E – Evacuate: When safe to do so, remove yourself from the danger zone. The goal is to remove as many people from the situation as possible. Individuals are encouraged to always evacuate when possible.
ALICE does not need to be completed in order and should not be looked at as a checklist. Teachers and students should rely on the information at hand and use their own judgment to determine the course of action.