"Shelter in place" procedures have been implemented at three schools on the east side of Great Falls.
Great Falls Public Schools sent a text alert out just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, stating the following schools are affected: East Middle School, Lewis & Clark Elementary School, and Chief Joseph Elementary School.
The message said the alert is due to "police activity in the neighborhood," but did not provide any details.
We have also been told that the Montana School for the Deaf & Blind also implemented shelter-in-place procedures as a precaution.
"Shelter in place" is defined by GFPS as a safety precaution for an external threat that is not an immediate or internal threat.
There are no indications that any students are in danger.
We will update you if we get more information.
GFPS safety procedures:
- Evacuation: Defined as an internal emergency that requires students and staff to leave the building for their safety. Parents should follow emergency notifications.
- Lockdown: Defined as an internal and/or immediate threat. All staff and students are locked in rooms. No one IN or OUT!
- Shelter In Place: Defined as a safety precaution for an external threat that is not an immediate or internal threat.
- Class Hold: Defined as a safety precaution implemented during an incident where students need to be kept in the classroom.
Release with Care: Defined as a possible threat in the schools’ neighborhoods during arrival and release time. Release with care procedures:
- To ensure safety, the building administrator may ask staff to escort students to/from buses or waiting cars.
- Staff may also be asked to accompany students home.
Student safety: walking to/from school
- Students should walk in groups or pairs
- Students should travel on a designated route, and parents should know the route their student is taking
- Students should check in with a responsible individual when they arrive at home
- Students should be taught to always be aware of their surroundings
- Students should avoid alleys on their designated route to/from school
- Students should walk on designated sidewalks and in well-lit areas
- Parents should notify the school when after-school procedures change
Click here to visit the Safety page on the GFPS website for more information.
