Surrey Schools safety alert notifications: here\u2019s what they mean<\/p>\n
Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, September 8, 2026<\/p>\n
Surrey Schools has shared on their website a breakdown of safety and security measures that have been put in place to keep students safe at their schools. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe safety and well-being of our school communities is a priority for Surrey Schools, and we are committed to ensuring that our schools are safe spaces for students, staff and families,\u201d said Surrey Schools on the website. <\/p>\n
Surrey Schools notes that all White Rock and Surrey schools have safety and security plans in place as well as having safety drills regularly practiced throughout the school year. <\/p>\n
The school district is also said to work closely with the Surrey Police Service and has open lines of communication with the appropriate authorities on every critical incident. <\/p>\n
Surrey Schools has a School Safety Plan which outlines protocols and procedures to manage a variety of situations and events. This also includes the district\u2019s school safety alert system, which is intended to keep students, staff and volunteers secure during a potential or actual threat. <\/p>\n
Surrey Schools shared that school administrators are authorized to activate a safety alert at their school. Administrators will also regularly participate in provincially mandated drills to ensure everyone at the site understands the protocols and what to do in different situations.<\/p>\n
The alert system is said to use specific terms and actions for various situations: <\/p>\n
\u2022 LOCKDOWN: is used in situations where there is a perceived safety risk inside or in close proximity to the building.
\u2022 HOLD & SECURE: is used where there is a safety risk outside the build or in the surrounding community.
\u2022 ALL CLEAR: is used once the situation has been resolved and there is no longer a threat to students, staff or visitors at the school.
\u2022 EVACUATE: is used when there is a threat such as a fire, bomb threat or gas leak.
\u2022 DROP-COVER-HOLD ON: is used during events such as an earthquake or explosion.
\u2022 SHELTER IN PLACE: is used where there are concerns about issues such as extreme weather, poor air quality or a wild animal on school grounds. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile school safety alerts are most often used as a precaution, it\u2019s important that parents are guardians familiarize themselves and their students with these terms,\u201d says Surrey Schools. <\/p>\n