Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is committed to supporting school and district leaders in protecting the physical and emotional safety and well-being of ALL students and staff each day and into the future through collaborative efforts to ensure safe and supportive school settings where learning can occur. Our mission is to continuously improve and enhance school safety across New York and to provide leadership and support, professional development, resources, and technical assistance, based on best practice information and research about national and statewide safety initiatives.
When a crisis occurs, a school’s ability to respond quickly and effectively will greatly impact the outcome in terms of protecting lives, property, and community wellbeing. Strategic thinking and planning efforts by school and district personnel before a potential crisis can make a difference when the unthinkable happens.
New York’s Education Law §2801-a and Commissioner’s Regulations §155.17 include requirements that every public school, charter school, and BOCES school building develop and annually update a confidential Building-Level Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that includes, but is not limited to:
- Information about the school, key staff, floor plans, maps;
- Detailed response procedures for different types of emergency situations;
- Functional annexes that outline how the school will respond during an event that warrants an emergency response (Shelter, Hold, Evacuate, Secure Lockout, and Lockdown)[1].
Together
Based on input from the state and national practitioners and stakeholders from the education community; in partnership with national not-for-profit, The “I Love U Guys” Foundation, NYSED has developed a New York-specific edition of the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) Operational Guidance and Standard Reunification Method (SRM) as an optional resource that New York schools and districts may wish to incorporate into their building-level emergency response plans.
These resources are aligned with Education Law §2801-a and Commissioner’s Regulations §155.17 regarding the development and adoption of Building-Level Emergency Response Plans and District-Wide School Safety Plans. New York’s districts and schools may opt to implement these resources in consultation with their required emergency response teams and local law enforcement and other first responders.
We thank The “I Love U Guys” Foundation for bringing their passion, commitment, and resources to New York’s students, staff, and school buildings. We are also appreciative of the ongoing efforts of our federal partners to provide resources and technical assistance to schools across the nation. Of particular note, the US Department of Education’s Grants to States for Emergency Management (GSEM) grant has provided resources to NYSED to provide training to schools, and the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center’s materials and resources provided the foundation for this guide.
Note this resource was developed in spring 2024. This Toolkit was created based on the Standard Response Protocol K12 Guide created by The "I Love U Guys" Foundation. If you would like to download, view, or print this guide in full please click the button below.
Some materials are made available, at no cost, per Memorandum of Understanding with The “I Love U Guys” Foundation and may be subject to "Terms of Use” included in materials.
For additional information and resources, please visit the NYSED and Center for School Safety websites, or reach out to us with questions.
RESOURCES AND CONTACT INFORMATION
New York State Education Department Office of Student Support Services:
Email: SafetyPlans@nysed.gov
https://www.nysed.gov/student-support-services/school-safety-plans
New York State Center for School Safety:
[1] Beginning July 1, 2025, all New York schools must use the emergency response terms Shelter, Hold, Evacuate, Secure Lockout, and Lockdown.
Downloads
The SRP/SRM K12 Operational Guide – NYSED Version 1.0
SRP K12-T 2025 Classroom Instructor Guide: The workbook has been designed to assist presenters in learning the SRP presentation.
- PowerPoint for Mac or PC
SRP K12 2025 Parent Handout: An introduction to the SRP that gives parents the basics in a single handout.
SRP K12 2025 Poster NYSED: This poster was created to print and place on walls to remind everyone of the different SRP actions, and allow teachers to start the conversation about SRP with their students.
SRP K12 2025 Poster Tabloid NYSED: Tabloid sized poster was created to print and place on walls to remind everyone of the different SRP actions, and allow teachers to start the conversation about SRP with their students.
SRP K12 2025 Red Green Alert card NYSED: In a reunification, Red/Green Cards are used for quick, visual identification the status of the teachers’ classes. Use the one that best suits your school’s needs.
SRP K12 2025 Red Green Roll card NYSED: In a reunification, Red/Green Cards are used for quick, visual identification the status of the teachers’ classes. Use the one that best suits your school’s needs.
SRP K12 2025 Red Green Med card NYSED: In a reunification, Red/Green Cards are used for quick, visual identification the status of the teachers’ classes. Use the one that best suits your school’s needs.
SRP K12 2025 Secure Door Monitored Poster NYSED EN SP: The Secure poster can be placed near entrances during a Secure condition. If entry or exit is possible during Secure, use the Secure-Monitored Door poster.
SRP K12 2025 Secure Door Poster NYSED EN SP: The Secure poster can be placed near entrances during a Secure condition. If entry or exit is possible during Secure, use the Secure-Monitored Door poster.
SRP K12 2025 Drill in Progress Poster NYSED EN SP: Use this poster on exterior doors and/or windows to alert visitors that a Lockdown Drill is in progress.
Lockdown Drill Sheet: You can use this to document the results of a drill, or create a version of your own.
SRP K12 2025 Pocket Guide NYSED: Basic SRP instruction that folds to the size of a business card for convenience.
SP ID Card PVC Card No slot No guides NYSED: The SRP actions scaled to print on one side of an ID card.
ID Card CR80 Slot Card No guides 1 NYSEDNYSE: The SRP actions scaled to print on one side of an ID card.
Standard Reunification Method Parent Handout NYSED
Reunification Card NYSED
