Practice Without Panic: Talking to School Families About Safety Drills

Safety drills are an important part of preparing students and staff to respond calmly and appropriately during an emergency. But for families, learning about an upcoming drill can create anxiety. For many parents, safety drills are a reminder that their child could fall victim to a horrific event, even if that event, such as a school shooting or a tornado, is incredibly unlikely to occur.

Thoughtful communication about drills can help alleviate anxiety and build trust, as well as improve the effectiveness of the drill. Here are five tips to help you share information about drills with school families.

Start With the “Why”

Families are more likely to feel comfortable with a safety drill when they understand its purpose. Explain that drills give students and staff an opportunity to practice established procedures in a controlled setting.

Rather than simply announcing that a drill will occur, communicate the broader goal: practice keeps kids safe by helping them understand what to do if a real emergency happens.

Use straightforward, reassuring language. Emphasize preparedness and avoid language that evokes fear.

Explain What Families Can Expect

Clear, practical information about what will happen can reduce uncertainty. Explain:

• What type of drill is taking place
• When it is expected to occur, if sharing the timing is appropriate
• What students and staff will be asked to do
• Whether normal school activities will be briefly interrupted
• How the school will communicate if an actual emergency occurs
• What, if anything, families need to do during the drill

Avoid sharing operational details that could compromise school safety. Families need enough information to understand the experience, but they should not have a detailed description of security procedures.

Remind families not to call or text their children during a drill. Multiple incoming calls or messages can distract students and staff and may interfere with school procedures.

Explain how families will receive information if a real emergency occurs.

Prepare Students for the Experience

Family communication works best when it is coordinated with what students hear at school.

Teachers and staff should use consistent, age-appropriate language. Students should know that a drill is practice. They should understand what they are expected to do. They should be encouraged to remain calm.

Consider adding additional support and preparation for younger children or students who may be particularly sensitive to unexpected sounds, movements, or changes in routine.

Make Communication Consistent

Establish a consistent communication approach for drills that covers:

1. Before the drill: Explain its purpose and what families should expect.
2. During the drill: Follow the school’s established procedures and communication protocols.
3. After the drill: Confirm completion and provide appropriate reassurance. This follow-up also provides an opportunity to remind families that drills are one part of the school’s larger approach to keeping students and staff prepared, without sharing sensitive information.
4. Over time: Review feedback and update communications when procedures or community needs change.

Consistency helps families know where to turn for reliable information.

Build Trust Before You Need It

The best time to establish confidence in a school’s emergency communication practices is before an emergency occurs.

Regular, transparent communication about preparedness can show families that safety is treated as an ongoing responsibility, rather than something addressed only when a crisis happens. When schools explain the purpose of drills, communicate respectfully, and give families clear guidance, they help create a community that is better prepared to respond calmly when it matters most.