I Love U Guys - Standard Response Protocol – Creating Safe Schools

Arlington Public Schools follows the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for school safety. This framework uses clear and consistent language so that students, staff, and families, know what to do in an emergency.

Using common terms helps everyone understand what is happening and how to respond. Practicing these safety drills regularly ensures that our schools are prepared and can respond quickly and effectively to any situation.

Overview

Arlington Public Schools partners with the I Love U Guys Foundation to promote consistent safety language and response procedures across all schools. The Standard Response Protocol includes five specific actions:

Hold! — Stay in your classroom or area. Clear the halls.

Secure! — Get inside. Lock outside doors.

Lockdown! — Locks, lights, out of sight.

Evacuate! — Move to a new location.

Shelter! — Take protective action based on the situation.

Each action is used depending on what is happening at the school or nearby, helping everyone stay informed and safe.

Some examples of when the language is used:

Action	Some Examples of When Used
Hold	A student needs medical attention, maintenance issue like broken glass on the floor, or other disruption where students should clear halls.
Secure	Threat Outside of the building
Lockdown	Threat Inside the building
Evacuate	Fire, power outage, more severe incident where it is safer to leave the building.
Shelter	Earthquake, Tornado, Hazmat scenario

ILUG Standard Response Protocol Parent Handout