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Look for all the possible exits in every classroom you have classes in. See how close they are to you and whether there are any obstacles, like desks or chairs, that might slow you down if you have to get to the door quickly.  This seems easy, since you walk through your classroom doors almost every day, but reviewing their location will help it become second nature and make it easier to remember in an emergency. If you can evacuate safely, this is often considered the best option for getting away from a school shooting. However, each scenario is different. If you know you can’t run away safely, stay in place and hide. Estimate how far off the ground the windows are to see if you could jump out of them safely in case of an emergency. Watch how your teacher opens and closes the windows, and volunteer to help them to see how it’s done.  You could even stay behind a few minutes after class to practice opening and closing the windows quickly. Ask your teacher first, explaining to them that you want to be as prepared as possible in case of an emergency. Escaping through the windows especially good option if your classroom has windows that face the outside and you know, as well as you can, that the shooter is inside. When you get a free moment in class, challenge yourself to think of the quickest route off campus from your current location. Figure this out for each of your classes so you can be prepared just in case you need to make a quick getaway. Do the same thing for anywhere else that you spend a lot of time on campus, such as the cafeteria, gym, or sports fields. Challenge yourself to take different routes to class and to explore areas of campus that you’re not as familiar with. Find the fastest way out from every area on campus, as well as alternate routes in case some ways are blocked off or inaccessible.  Look around campus after school or during lunch when you’re allowed to be out and about. In the unlikely event of a shooting threat, your in-depth knowledge of your school can help you make a quick getaway. Once you’ve set up your own mental evacuation routes, go over them in your head every few days to keep them fresh. Your goal is to turn these routes into an instinct, so that you know how to evacuate in case it ever becomes necessary. Your school probably has its own evacuation routes in place for the unlikely event of a shooting. If you haven’t already learned these routes through drills, you can ask a teacher or administrator what they are.  Remember that in a school shooting situation, you likely won’t be on your own. You can follow the lead of teachers and other adults who are trained to take care of you in these situations. If you somehow do find yourself separated from the group, your own evacuation preparation is your backup. You can use what you know to make a safe escape.
Notice the nearest door in every room you’re in. See where the windows are and practice opening them. Retrace your steps mentally to the nearest school exit. Find shortcuts and alternate routes around your school. Review these routes with yourself every once in a while. Take the school’s evacuation procedures into account.