Newtown High School parents were notified by Principal Lorrie Rodrigue by e-mail on September 27 that a drill will be conducted in the near future involving drug dog searches.

The drill is typically conducted at the school annually, but a 2015-16 drill was canceled. The last drill using drug dog searches was held in February 2015, according to the school.

According to Dr Rodrigue's e-mail, "During these types of drills, we will go into brief shelter-in-place, which means business in classrooms will continue without interruption. However, hallway movement will be limited, and visitors will be held from entering the building until the drill is completed."

Dr Rodrigue said each drill will last no longer than 20 to 25 minutes, and several searches will be conducted throughout the year in conjunction with Newtown Police Department.

"We will send you an e-mail in the mornings just prior to each search to alleviate any anxiety resulting from increased police presence on the high school campus," the e-mail reads. "Please know that these searches will be in alignment with [Board of Education] policy, but, most importantly, will meet our goal of maintaining a 'drug-free' campus and ensuring a safe school for our students."