On September 25th, 2026, students and staff at Great Lakes Secondary School participated in a planned lockdown drill as part of the Lambton Kent District School Board's ongoing commitment to maintaining safe and secure learning environments.
The drill was organized and led by the Lambton Kent District School Board, with members of the Sarnia Police Service supporting the exercise by observing procedures and providing feedback. During the drill, police officers accompanied LKDSB staff as they moved throughout the school, checking classrooms, doors, and exterior areas to help evaluate the effectiveness of existing safety protocols.
The exercise was designed not only to practice emergency procedures, but also to identify opportunities for improvement. Observations and recommendations gathered during the drill will be reviewed and, where appropriate, implemented to further strengthen school safety processes.
"These planned drills are an important opportunity for us to review our procedures in a real-world setting and identify areas where we can continue to improve," said Mark Houghton, System Coordinator of Safe Schools. "We welcome feedback from our police partners and from school staff because continuous improvement is at the heart of effective school safety planning. The observations made during these exercises help us refine our practices and ensure we are as prepared as possible should an emergency occur."
LKDSB conducts planned lockdown drills at schools throughout the year in accordance with established safe school practices. The exercises help students and staff become familiar with emergency procedures while providing valuable opportunities to evaluate and strengthen safety measures.
Gary Girardi, Chief Executive Officer of the Lambton Kent District School Board, said the drill is also an example of the strong partnerships that exist between schools and local police services.
"The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains a top priority at LKDSB. We are grateful for the ongoing support and collaboration of local police, including the Sarnia Police Service, in helping us review and strengthen our emergency preparedness procedures. These partnerships are one of the many ways we work together to support safe schools and strong communities."
The Lambton Kent District School Board extends its appreciation to the Sarnia Police Service, school staff, and students for their participation and cooperation throughout the exercise.
