Okoboji School District Takes School Safety to the Next Level with ALICE Training
By Olivia Simington and Emilia Cunningham, 8th Grade OMS Marketing Team Members
Ensuring the safety of students is the top priority at Okoboji School District. While they have always been known for their innovative educational programs, they recognize that a safe learning environment is paramount. That is why they recently conducted an ALICE training with their dedicated staff, and the results have been powerful.
During the summer, eight of the staff members underwent intensive training to become certified ALICE trainers. These trainers then implemented realistic shooting scenarios, placing the teachers in different locations throughout the school. The purpose was to put the ALICE practices into action, and after each session, a debriefing allowed staff members to learn from one another's experiences.
Teachers have unanimously agreed that this was the most powerful safety training they have ever received. Many of them expressed feeling more prepared than ever before, should the unthinkable ever happen. They are incredibly proud of the efforts their school continues to make in prioritizing student safety, and they are committed to maintaining this focus well into the future.
Building upon the success of the staff training, they have plans to extend the ALICE training to their students at age-appropriate levels. They believe it is crucial for students to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to keep themselves and their peers safe. In addition, they will be hosting a community night later this spring to engage parents, families, and the wider community in understanding the comprehensive measures taken to prioritize student safety.
The school is immensely grateful for the support they have received from local law enforcement officers, including the Milford Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. They went above and beyond to ensure the success of their training. Their commitment was demonstrated by their collaboration in providing gunshot sounds within the school buildings. This exercise helped them understand the reality of such situations and further enhanced their ability to respond effectively.
While they hope to never have to put this training into practice, they can confidently say that they are as prepared as they could be to defend and support students. The ALICE training is just one of the many initiatives they have implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the school community.
Here are some quotes from staff members on their experience with the Alice training:
“In my personal opinion, in the society that we are currently living in, evil does exist, so if our staff and students can take the information/ training it can turn into skills that will benefit a person outside of these walls.” (Eric Thompson, OMS counselor)
“Going through the scenarios was very impactful, and helped for the staff to know what you may or may not do.” (Lenae Rubis, OMS admin assistant)
“The training we continue to offer is deepening the learning for our staff, which will be passed on to the students and the community in the months ahead. I commend our entire district and law enforcement partners for engaging in the most difficult of training to help ensure we are doing all we can to support student safety.” (Ryan Cunningham, OMS principal)
The school community is proud of the efforts they have taken to ensure the safety of students. They invite you to join in celebrating the commitment to providing a secure learning environment for all. Together, they can continue to pioneer pathways while keeping all students safe.