Parents

The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priority. As part of our ongoing commitment to school safety, OSTC is adopting Michigan’s standardized emergency response terminology.

Michigan law requires public and non-public schools to use five standardized terms when communicating emergency actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Using consistent terminology helps ensure that students, staff, families, and first responders have a common understanding of what is happening and what action should be taken during an emergency. These standardized terms are intended to provide clear, consistent instructions during an emergency, helping our school community respond quickly and appropriately when it matters most.

Here is what each term means:

• HOLD: Stay in your current location and keep hallways clear.
• SECURE: Bring everyone inside and secure exterior doors.
• LOCKDOWN: Lock classroom doors, turn off lights, stay out of sight, and remain quiet.
• EVACUATE: Leave the building and move to a designated location.
• SHELTER: Take shelter based on the specific hazard, such as severe weather or another environmental emergency.

The appropriate response will depend on the situation. Campus staff or law enforcement will provide additional instructions as needed.

Please take a moment to review the flyers below. We encourage families to become familiar with these terms and to use the flyers as a reference.