Stop the Trauma: Demand changes to District 63 Emergency Lockdown procedures and protocols
The Issue
On September 29th at 3:08 pm, Gemini Middle School's emergency alert system was accidentally triggered which led to a school lockdown- the THIRD accidental lockdown within one year.
A lockdown indicates that there is an active shooter on the premises. During a real life lockdown, students are asked to shelter in place, barricade doors, jump out windows, and run out of the building to safety through any means necessary. These children and staff believed their lives were in danger not just once, but three times within a year.
As a result of this last incident, there have been children reportedly injured in the confusion. As a mental health professional, to say this is traumatic is an understatement. These events trigger the nervous system and put people into a fight or flight state of high alert, and creates an inability to feel safe, constantly scanning for danger at a place we're entrusting to have our children's safety as a priority. There have been no trauma informed practices put in place as follow up for children and staff to process these traumatic events in a healthy way.
This is a petition to demand:
- The elimination of the current emergency alert system that has been failing students and staff for the last 2 years.
- A new district protocol to avoid incidents of accidental triggers as evidenced through data and experiences through other districts.
- Adequate training for all staff, including substitute teachers on all existing and new protocols.
- Immediate implementation of trauma-informed procedures to prioritize student and staff mental health.
As required by the School safety drill act, lockdown drills must include trauma-informed approaches to address the concerns of well-being of students and school personnel. The law also states schools must provide sufficient information and notification to parents and guardians in advance of any walk-through lockdown drive that involves the participation of students, as well as the option to allow parents to exempt their child from participating.
These accidental lockdowns violate our rights and break the law. We demand administration immediately take accountability and action steps to prevent this from happening again.
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The Issue
On September 29th at 3:08 pm, Gemini Middle School's emergency alert system was accidentally triggered which led to a school lockdown- the THIRD accidental lockdown within one year.
A lockdown indicates that there is an active shooter on the premises. During a real life lockdown, students are asked to shelter in place, barricade doors, jump out windows, and run out of the building to safety through any means necessary. These children and staff believed their lives were in danger not just once, but three times within a year.
As a result of this last incident, there have been children reportedly injured in the confusion. As a mental health professional, to say this is traumatic is an understatement. These events trigger the nervous system and put people into a fight or flight state of high alert, and creates an inability to feel safe, constantly scanning for danger at a place we're entrusting to have our children's safety as a priority. There have been no trauma informed practices put in place as follow up for children and staff to process these traumatic events in a healthy way.
This is a petition to demand:
- The elimination of the current emergency alert system that has been failing students and staff for the last 2 years.
- A new district protocol to avoid incidents of accidental triggers as evidenced through data and experiences through other districts.
- Adequate training for all staff, including substitute teachers on all existing and new protocols.
- Immediate implementation of trauma-informed procedures to prioritize student and staff mental health.
As required by the School safety drill act, lockdown drills must include trauma-informed approaches to address the concerns of well-being of students and school personnel. The law also states schools must provide sufficient information and notification to parents and guardians in advance of any walk-through lockdown drive that involves the participation of students, as well as the option to allow parents to exempt their child from participating.
These accidental lockdowns violate our rights and break the law. We demand administration immediately take accountability and action steps to prevent this from happening again.
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Petition created on October 1, 2026