South Hutchinson Elementary School Sends Letter to Parents Regarding Lockout Incident Wednesday Morning

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. (November 5, 2025) – Letter from Mrs. Shalon Worcester Principal at USD 309 South Hutchinson Elementary School

Parents and Guardians

We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to inform you about a lockout situation that took place earlier today at our school. The safety of your children and our staff is our top priority, and we want to ensure you are aware of the circumstances and measures we have taken.

Due to a situation that occurred in the near vicinity of our school involving the South Hutchinson Police Department, we initiated a lockout protocol. This means that no one was permitted to enter or exit the building, but inside the building, it was business as usual. Classes continued as scheduled, and your children remained indoors, safe and secure.

The lockout was a precautionary measure taken to ensure the safety of all students and staff until the situation was resolved by local law enforcement. We closely monitored the situation in coordination with law enforcement officials, and the lockout was lifted after we received confirmation that it was safe to do so.

In terms of school security protocols, as a reminder, the following is the difference between a lockout and a lockdown. A lockout is typically initiated when there is a potential threat outside the school, such as a nearby police activity or a safety concern like a vicious dog in the area. During a lockout, the external doors of the building are secured to prevent entry, while inside, normal school activities continue without interruption, as was the case today. In contrast, a lockdown is activated when there is a direct threat inside the school. This requires more stringent measures, where students and staff are secured in their current locations to protect them from the immediate danger. We are committed to maintaining a safe environment and regularly practice these procedures to ensure readiness for any situation.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this situation. Please rest assured that the safety of our students and staff remains our utmost priority. We appreciate your trust and support as we work to ensure a secure and conducive learning environment for your children. Should you have any further questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.