Dear Haverhill Public Schools Families,
I am writing to update you on our school district’s commitment to student and staff safety through the adoption of the A.L.I.C.E. program (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate), a nationally recognized approach we have used since 2017. A.L.I.C.E. is a proactive set of responses to an active intruder situation that empowers individuals to consider various safety options. For more information about ALICE please visit the Alice Training website.
A.L.I.C.E. is recommended by multiple national organizations, including the U.S. Department of Education, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, F.E.M.A., and the F.B.I. These organizations encourage schools to have active plans involving decision-making and options beyond traditional lockdowns, should an emergency arise. Haverhill Public Schools has routinely informed, educated, and drilled students, staff, and interested families in A.L.I.C.E. procedures to strengthen our preparedness.
All of our Haverhill Public Schools’ A.L.I.C.E. drills and student training are carefully adapted to be age-appropriate and are intended to help students understand how to respond calmly and safely in the unlikely event of an emergency. Additionally, we prioritize student well-being by integrating various social-emotional supports to ensure that students feel safe, supported, and prepared.
We appreciate your support in helping us create a safe and supportive learning environment. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the A.L.I.C.E. program or our other safety protocols.
Thank you for being a vital part of our school community.
Warm regards,
Margaret Marotta Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
A.L.I.C.E. Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.L.I.C.E. ?
A.L.I.C.E. is a school safety program created in 2000 to offer additional options to students and staff in dealing with an armed intruder situation. Two individuals who founded and developed the program are long-term law enforcement professionals. A 30-year educational professional is a member of the team and works to ensure that A.L.I.C.E. teaching/training materials are age-appropriate, psychologically sound, and address the issues of individuals with special needs.
What do the letters stand for in the name A.L.I.C.E.?
A.L.I.C.E. is an acronym that stands for:
ALERT: Get the word out that a threat exists
LOCKDOWN: Secure a place to stay as a starting point to buy time.
INFORM: Give constant, real-time information throughout the building using all available technology. ‘
COUNTER: This is the last resort. Individuals are unable to escape. Countering may be as simple as creating a distraction to allow opportunities to run.
EVACUATE: The goal is to move students out of the danger zone. It’s essential to be prepared to escape.
Why do we need to add anything more? Isn’t it enough to lock the building and keep students inside if someone threatens them?
Traditionally, schools have used a procedure known as “lockdown,” which essentially means locking the school building and classrooms and having students and teachers take shelter in their classrooms. We believe that offering additional age-appropriate options will allow our students and teachers to be better prepared if a crisis occurs. Providing a constant flow of information to everyone inside the building can help in safely evacuating the building. Rescue by the police can take some time. An essential goal of the A.L.I.C.E. program is to evacuate as many people as possible to a safe place.
How much time will the training take away from learning?
The length of the training time for students may range from 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon the age of the students.
How will students be trained?
Training will be age-appropriate and occur in grade level meetings, with school administration leading the discussion, while counselors and teachers support the conversation. . Discussions with younger students will extend “stranger danger” discussions and focus on listening carefully to the teacher in case of an emergency and following directions promptly. These lessons are built upon with drills that include our public safety partners.
How many organizations are currently using A.L.I.C.E. as part of their safety protocols?
Nearly 2 million students have been trained or exposed to this program. Although A.L.I.C.E. was started in a kindergarten through grade 12 school setting, the program is now being used in universities, colleges, churches, corporations, and government offices. Haverhill area police departments, school districts, and other organizations are adopting this program to enhance their current safety protocols.