MIAMI -- There are 15 Miami-Dade County public schools within the "target zone" of the Free Trade Area of the Americas conference.
School officials say that they are prepared for any problems that might arise from their proximity to the conference.
Many of the schools within the zone have been practicing "code red lockdowns" since September in preparation for the FTAA.
In a lockdown drill, gates are locked; doors are locked; security double-checks all doors as they make their rounds; and students stay in their rooms until all is clear.
Some schools are preparing in other ways, from keeping extra snacks on hand to securing air vents with duct tape. The tape keeps outside air that could contain tear gas from entering the school by recirculating the air that's already inside.
Teachers have been reminded to take an overnight bag with a change of clothes.
All next week no students will be allowed outside during the school day. All physical education classes and any classes normally held in portable classrooms are canceled for the week.
Classes in most schools will go on inside the buildings as normally scheduled, but for those parents who plan to keep their children home, school officials say the absence will be excused.
Some of these schools will be relocating students.
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