Owasso Public Schools will use new safety language when a safety issue occurs on campus this school year. The district says terms like “lockout” and “lockdown” were easily confused in the past, so it’s adopting new terms to make communication clearer.

Parents like Dennis Adkins are trying to get everything in place before the new school year starts on Thursday.

“Trying to get their schedules, get them all ready,” Adkins said. “Do all things at the last minute.”

Like most parents, Adkins says safety is most important to her two daughters in the district.

“I want to make sure my kids are safe,” he said. “Make sure they let us know when something like that happens.”

To keep parents informed and eliminate any confusion, Owasso Schools uses new language when a security threat occurs on campus. The new terms are hanging around every school, and everyone from students to secretaries to custodians is getting a lesson in what they mean.

“They’re going to understand what’s going on because on this sheet here,” said Paul Croft, director of safety for Owasso Public Schools. “It’s very detailed what the student’s responsibilities are and what the adult’s responsibilities are in the building.”

A “Hold” means that the corridors must be kept clear, but classes can continue. An example is a student who has a medical episode on campus.

A “Secure” means there is an off-campus threat. It could be police officers doing a search in a neighborhood near a school.

A “Lockdown” will have the same definition of an immediate threat on campus. Students and teachers will stop classes, turn off the lights and lock doors to hide.

Croft says the terms should get rid of the confusion between a “lockout” and “lockdown.” He says first responders are also aware of the new conditions and are ready to respond appropriately.