Introduction to Run, Hide, Fight

Run Hide Fight is a safety protocol recognized by law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. The Ozark School District chose to implement the Run Hide Fight method because it shows students and staff they have options in threatening situations. The District believes that knowing your options — run, hide or fight — increases your chance of survival. 

Shown to students at Middle School, Junior High and High School levels, and to all District staff, the video is designed to teach and empower students and staff to know how to react should they ever find themselves in a threatening situation — whether that be at school, at a restaurant or at the grocery store.

This video is also designed as a tool for parents and the community as a whole. Parents may want to watch this video and discuss it with their children. And while the video is made for older students and adults, some parents may consider showing this video to their elementary-age children.

Parents of elementary students:

Your child will not watch the Run Hide Fight video at school. However, depending on the age and maturity level of your child, you may want to show this video to your student at home and engage them in conversation.

• Carefully consider what the benefits would be to showing your child the video. While some elementary children would benefit from watching the video, it could be harmful to others.
• Most children love school and see it as a safe, happy place. Let’s protect them from emotions they might not yet understand.
• Early elementary school children need brief, simple information. Give examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked and emergency drills. 
• Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. 
   
• If you decide to show this video to your elementary-age child, here are some things to consider:
  • Dinnertime can be a good time to discuss this topic with children. It does not create anxiety before school and it gives the child plenty of time to ask questions and process the information before bedtime.
  • Reassure children they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
  • What the child should understand is that if they feel they are in danger, they have permission to get away. If they see a bad person with a gun or someone hurting others, it’s time to run to safety.
  • The Fight option in Run Hide Fight is for adults. Telling a child to fight in this situation is not recommended. 
  • Children should know that being afraid is a completely normal response to an emergency. They should also understand that even though they might be afraid, they can still take measures to protect themselves.
  • When we are frightened, not wanting to move is a normal response. Taking deep breaths is a very effective way to help control anxiety during a scary situation.
     
• Questions to consider asking your child after watching the video:
  • How does this video make you feel?
  • How do you think you would react if you were in a threatening situation?
  • What can I do (as a parent) or the school do to make you feel more confident?
  • If you are concerned about what to do or how to react, who could you talk to?

Parents of middle school, junior high and high school students:

Your student has or will watch the Run Hide Fight video at school. Middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. If you want to follow up with your student, here are some talking points to consider:

• How did you feel when you watched the video?
• How do you think you would react if you were in a threatening situation?
• What can I do (as a parent) or the school do to make you feel more confident?
• If you are concerned about what to do or how to react, who could you talk to?
• Not every question has to be answered. It often depends on the age of your students and their maturity level. You know your child best.
• Emphasize the role students have in maintaining safe schools:
  • Not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus
  • Reporting any information relating to a school threat  
  • Communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators
  • Accessing support for emotional needs
• This could also be an opportunity to discuss proper protocol to report threats (i.e. reporting to parents, tip line, faculty/staff and even law enforcement). Examples include: direct/indirect threats; potential bullying or harassment; sexually explicit information; the impact of sharing information through social media.
• Talk to your child about your neighborhood and the area around the places they often visit (school, shopping malls, restaurants, movie theater). Identify safe places, such as a church or fire station, they could run to if they had to run away from an emergency situation.