Auburn district outlines ALICE training, reunification plans and crosswalk improvements

Auburn School Department safety staff told the School Committee on Sept. 3 that the district is reactivating a centralized emergency-response committee and will roll out targeted training and communications to reduce anxiety around drills while practicing needed skills.

"First of all, the staff began their year with their review of their emergency procedures. They reviewed their ALICE protocols," Mr. Neer said, describing staff workshops and planned building ALICE drills in October. He said the drills will be age- and grade-appropriate with advance communication to families: "It's not gonna be a mystery. It's not gonna be a surprise."

Neer said the district will reactivate the Auburn School Department emergency response team (ASDURT) to unify ALICE training, building safety and reunification planning, and to create a streamlined debrief process so lessons from drills are shared across buildings. He also described practical safety improvements coordinated with Public Works, including additional slowdown signage and a soon-to-be-connected lighted crosswalk on Western Avenue near the Edward Little entrance.

Committee members thanked staff for notifying parents in advance of drills to limit trauma for younger children and asked questions about how skills will be practiced without simulating traumatic scenarios. Neer emphasized the focus will be on skill-building rather than scenario replication and said evacuation and reunification practices will be rehearsed.

What’s next: the district will schedule ASDURT meetings, conduct building ALICE drills in October with family notifications, and continue working with Public Works and Auburn Police on crossing-guard training and signage.