“We are required by state law to have a lock down and a stay put once a semester,” said Dimond High School’s Principal Cheryl Guyett. Lockdowns are to “protect those in the building from danger inside the building or in the immediate vicinity,” said Guyett. A stayput is used when there is something in the halls that could disrupt the students and it is better for them to stay in their classes. “I think [the drills] are really important because every year we have a number of new staff or new students. [It gives them a] chance to learn protocol to stay safe in lockdown or stay put situations,” said Guyett. “Lockdowns generally run about six minutes.” The admin and safety security go around to every class and the old gym to make sure everyone is following protocol, said Guyett. “I think [the drills] are worth practicing,” said Senior Matthew Falconer. Freshman Kelsey Kroon agreed with Falconer and said,“It’s nice to know what to do during something like that, and I’m not going to lie; its nice to have a halt in the lesson.” Sophomore Breanna Jingco said, “The drills are kind of fun, but they take away from class time.” Meghan Lindbeck, a freshman, said, “I like the drills because they waste time in class. It is better than just sitting there.” Haily Redmond, a sophomore, doesn’t agree with Lindbeck and said, “I think [the drills] are annoying.” Sophomore Maria Ramirez said, “The drills are okay, I don’t enjoy them, but I don’t hate them.” Sophomore Keely Holt said, “I like [the drills] if they are during something I don’t like doing.” Kroon said, “In a lockdown you have to hide in the classroom and be completely silent because someone is in the school or in the premises.” Jingco said for a lockdown, “You have to put out the lights, put down the shades to make it look like no one is in the classroom or school and count heads to make sure everyone is in class. Holt said, “In lockdowns the teacher puts up the colored cards in the window, then everyone gets under their desks far away from the windows a doors. In a stay put, everyone just stays in the class they are in even if they were supposed to switch.” Kroon said, “In a stay put, you just ignore the bells and stay in your room. You don’t have to hide, you just have to be in the room quieter.” One of Dimond High School’s math teachers, Nate Normandin, said, “[The drills] aren’t necessarily about effectiveness, they are about understanding what they are meant for.”