Green Bay East High practices lockdown drill

GREEN BAY - East High School principal Ed Dorff walks through the school with a group of media and parents in tow.

"We've asked the teachers to talk to the students about what's coming. What area in the classroom they might go to, what they have to do once they're in the classroom,” said Dorff.

In response to the Newtown, Connecticut shootings, the Green Bay Area Public School District is r eviewing and practicing its lockdown drills this week. The district has conducted these drills at least three times a school year for at least 15 years. One of the first was at East High School Wednesday morning.

Generally schools are always under a level 1 lockdown. Doors are locked and no one gets in the building without being ID’d.

“At this time, we would like all staff to go to the level 2 lockdown,” said a message on the school’s intercom.

If we got to a level 2 lockdown and a student isn't in a classroom, teachers stick their heads out the door, and they're going to grab the kid,” said Dorff.

"In the event that a potentially dangerous situation is actually in progress, students and staff will be directed to go into a level three - or a full lockdown,” stated another message on the intercom.

Now under a level three, Dorff looks for problems. Lights should be off and students out of sight.

"Idea is to make it look like nobody is in the school,” said Dorff.

“This then concludes our lockdown procedure and drill for the day,” said the final message.

Sophomore Salvador Hernandez is glad he knows what to do in an emergency.

"It's a good thing that you're mostly - all you're doing is trying to protect yourself, the school and all the students,” said Hernandez.

Same goes for East High parent Lori Smith.

One of her daughters was a senior at East when three students were convicted of plotting an attack it in 2006.

"All the emotions from then are coming out now, sorry, but I am glad that they are taking the steps to protect the children,” said Smith.

Smith says one of the hardest things to do is explain why students even have to practice these drills in the first place.

The district says it hopes the rest of the schools can complete their drills this week. With Winter Storm Brianna closing schools Thursday that could delay the schedule.