Submitted by QCSS--On Wednesday, January 16, classes at QCSS were interrupted by the announcement: "emergency - initiate lockdown." Teachers locked their classroom doors, turned off the lights, closed the blinds, students were moved to an area in their classroom where they could not be seen through the windows, all talking stopped and the school became silent. The RCMP attended and began a room-by-room search of the school identifying themselves as "police" as they opened each door and checked to be sure a room was empty or that everyone in a room was safe.When the search was finished, the RCMP informed the school 'command centre' that the school was safe and that classes could resume. The lockdown lasted 30 minutes.Students and staff were commended by the RCMP for their swift response to the lockdown and the manner in which everyone participated in a safe and orderly manner.As well, QCSS practises fire drills and earthquake/tsunami drills frequently throughout the year. Following every emergency drill, we review what the experience can teach us about our procedures. This constant examination of best practices and procedures in respect to staff and student safety allows us to refine and improve our response.Principal Kevin May and Vice-Principal Deavlan Bradley thank the RCMP for their assistance in implementing our lockdown drill and for the advice and suggestions they gave us for future emergency drills of this nature.