Portland Public Schools (PPS) is invested in fostering safe, trauma-informed emergency drills that are taught and carried out in developmentally appropriate ways. Oregon schools are required to instruct and drill students on emergency procedures and it’s important that students are empowered to keep themselves safe in case of an emergency.
This week, Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd Grade students at our school will learn about Sammy the Sasquatch, Crittertopia, and the many ways Sammy practices safety. Crittertopia is kept safe by the Critter Elder’s magic. While it’s very unlikely a curious human will accidentally wander into Crittertopia, Sammy & Friends practice keeping Crittertopia safe by doing a Lockdown, “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.” For more information on Sammy & Friends and resources to help empower your kids at home, please see that attached document.
School Counselors will read the illustrated children’s book, “Sammy the Sasquatch: Welcome to Crittertopia,” while students color an image of Sammy. About one week later the School Counselor will revisit the classroom with a Campus Safety Associates (CSAs) for a classroom coaching session. The team will focus on empowering students and providing choice throughout the Lockdown Classroom Coaching session, modeling how to do a Lockdown and allowing students to choose to practice together.
Classroom Coaching for Lockdown will not focus on any specific threat. Students will be able to ask questions which will be answered in trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate ways. Responses will always bring the focus back to:
Kids, and adults, practice safety in many different ways every day.
Doing a Lockdown does not mean school is unsafe. It means one of the caring adults did a great job of noticing.
School safety partners, like Campus Safety Associates (CSAs) and local first responders, are very good at their jobs and will respond quickly if students need help.
