Run, Hide, Fight: A Crucial Protocol for School Safety

In light of the recent tragic events that have affected schools across the nation, we want to reach out to you with care, understanding, and reassurance. Our foremost priority is the safety and well-being of your children and our entire school community. While these are difficult times, we believe that one of the most important things we can do is ensure that everyone in our school is prepared for emergencies.

To that end, we want to inform you about the Run, Hide, Fight protocol, which is part of our school’s safety training. This protocol is a nationally recognized strategy for responding to threats, including an active shooter. We know that talking about these kinds of situations is uncomfortable and even frightening, but preparing for them is a vital step in protecting our students and staff. 

The Run, Hide, Fight protocol is a set of response guidelines designed to give people options when faced with an immediate threat like an active shooter. Here's how it breaks down:

Run: If it’s safe to do so, the first and best option is to run away from the danger. Students are taught to quickly find an escape route, leave belongings behind, and move to a safe location.

Hide: If running isn’t possible, students and staff are instructed to find a safe place to hide. This involves locking doors, turning off lights, silencing phones, and staying out of sight until help arrives.

Fight: As a last resort, if neither running nor hiding is possible, we teach students and staff how to defend themselves in an emergency. This means using anything they can to protect themselves and those around them.

We know that recent events can stir up a lot of emotions, from anxiety to uncertainty. To address this, JCSD focused on age-appropriate training, framing the drills in a way that teaches safety without overwhelming children with fear. Our goal in conducting this training is not to alarm anyone but to prepare our students and staff in the unlikely event that something happens. Just as we practice fire drills and lockdowns, this training is another tool to keep our community as safe as possible.

While no one wants to imagine the worst, being prepared is essential to protecting lives. By regularly training students and staff on how to respond in a crisis, schools can ensure that they are ready to act quickly and effectively if the unthinkable happens. The combination of preparedness, empowerment, and coordination with law enforcement makes Run, Hide, Fight a key component of modern school safety efforts.,

JCSD has worked closely with local law enforcement to make sure our safety plans are comprehensive and effective. Their partnership is invaluable, and they are always available to assist with any questions or further training.

As the world continues to change, so too must our strategies for keeping students and educators safe. Run, Hide, Fight is not just about responding to threats—it’s about fostering a mindset of vigilance, preparedness, and resilience.