Mom, why are we in a lock down?

[Lisa]

...is the text message I received from my youngest daughter, yesterday afternoon.

My heart skipped a beat, my stomach turned and I replied "It was a safety precaution used to ensure that the students in the school remained indoors and out of the way of any preceived danger. Are you in a lock down?"

"Yup and I am scared....."

I called the school and was told that the school was in a lock down. The police had issued the lock down because of a "police incident" happening in or around the school grounds.

This was about 1/2 hour before school was to be dismissed. Since my youngest and oldest daughters go to separate school but are located in the same block, I texted my oldest to find out that she too was in a lock down and when she called me, I could here the fear in her voice as well. She was a little freaked out.

Luckily they were both released shortly thereafter. When I talked to my girls, I asked why no one had ever explained what a school locked down was. They both agreed that it was mentioned and practiced but when it happened in reality it was upsetting to say the least.

So, how many of you have discussed the possibility of school lock downs with your children? How many of you are aware of the school lock down policies in your school districts? and how do we work with our schools and children to help alleviate the fear when it comes up?

 

[terryl965]

Lisa that is and ordeal for sure for your daughters, as me and my wife both are teachers well I'm an ex. we have decussed this with them atleast twice a year. This is a drill the schools need to take more serious in my opinion, we do not feel like anything will happen at our schools, well history has said different. This is a great subject matter and I wonder how come schools do not send home packages abpout this very issue.

 

[Kreth]

This happened at a local school a few weeks ago after a known sex offender was seen entering an apartment across the street. Full story here.

 

[shesulsa]

My kids have been in a handful of lockdowns, each. The first couple were scary, now they sometimes forget to even tell me they had one. I regularly emphasize the need to follow procedure each time as though it were a real emergency, but to stay calm.

On 9/11, I went to the principal and asked about the emergency procedure and location to pick up the children and was surprised to find that approx. five elementary schools, two high schools and four middle schools in the area all went to one nearby stadium. There were no organized means for distribution of children for that location, just show up and hopefully they can locate your child by use of radio communication. Now it's a little more sophisticated, though the system depends upon student cooperation.

I remember having earthquake drills when I was in school. Now they have shooting drills.

Lisa, I'm glad your girls are okay and the incident did not involve them or their friends. Welcome to the 21st century.

 

[kidswarrior]

As a teacher who has spent time in some of the rougher areas, this is not uncommon. If any type of crime happens in the vicinity of the school and the bad guy(s)'s on the loose, the police will do this. I've never seen anything come of it, except the police are free to do their job and all the kids go home safely.

It is unsettling for kids and staff, but better than releasing hundreds or thousands of kids into a situation where a lunatic may be trying to evade LEO, and who could mix with a group of children as a great cover.

As far as not knowing what's going on (my biggest complaint when trying to explain to kids why we're locked into a room after hours), LEO can't compromise their manhunt or investigation of an active crime, so they have to keep us in the dark.

It's a bad situation, but I hope this helps a little.

 

[kidswarrior]

I remember having earthquake drills when I was in school. Now they have shooting drills.

Lisa, I'm glad your girls are okay and the incident did not involve them or their friends. Welcome to the 21st century.

Amen to that.

 

[Ceicei]

My son's junior high school and a nearby elementary school were put in lock down last fall because of a report of a sighting of a rifle in the neighborhood. The school was in lock down for quite a while (practically all morning) with the SWAT team on standby and police searching the neighborhood as well as the school (in case the unknown person with the rifle might have gone to the junior school).

The lockdown started shortly after school began (report came in around 7:30 ish, but the school officials and the police were trying to decide whether this warranted a lock down). Half of the buses arrived during this time and dropped the students off, and by the time the school/police authorized the lockdown, the second half of the buses were then diverted to the high school. The lockdown didn't end until three and a half hours later.

This is not the first time lockdowns happened, but this one is a bit more dramatic locally as SWAT teams usually aren't called in.

My son was fine with the lockdown once he saw the heavy police presence. He and several classmates were kind of bored being trapped in his math class for several hours, but he did say it was kind of cool to watch the police and some SWAT checking the hallways all dressed up in battle gear (flak vests and rifles).

The only negative about all this (my son explained) was was that when the school was initially put under lockdown (students were told over the PA system to remain in the classrooms with doors closed and those who were out in the hallways were to go to the auditorium immediately). They were not told the reason of the lockdown. That caused a lot of anxiety and confusion. The only reason these students found out about the purpose for the lockdown was when they called on cell phones (which by the way aren't allowed in schools) to their parents and were told the news as reported from outside. The school finally announced to the students the purpose about an hour later after lockdown (to dispel rumors which were already going on).

There were students who were very shaken up about this experience and once the lockdown ended three and a half hours later, were allowed to leave one by one with a parent who desired to take them home early. Parents had to go through the heavily guarded entrance, show their id, sign papers who they desired to check out, and the child escorted to the parents with a teacher, then allowed to leave. My son did ask to leave early as this was on his mind and he couldn't focus on school, especially when some students around him were being very emotional.

This incident happened on Friday, the day before the duck hunting season started on Saturday. The person with the rifle, realizing the cause of the neighborhood anxiety, came forward later that morning to explain he was carrying his rifle in a sock down the street to his neighbor's house in preparation for the hunting season.

It is not illegal to carry a long gun covered with a sock on the shoulder, nor is it really that unusual to have people openly prepare for hunting (after all, this is a State where hunting is a big tradition).

Some people blamed this on over-reaction, others said this is just a byproduct of a time when people worried about school-shootings and wanted to be on the safe side. Others said it is an ignorance of the local traditions (such as awareness of hunting seasons and the customs of people living there). Nevertheless, no one complained about having the police and the SWAT team responding so quickly.

This did generate a lot of discussion within families and the community the pros and cons. Overall, the incident was handled well (at least by the police/SWAT team), but the school officials were asked to be more forthcoming with the information given to the students. Some said that the information given earlier at the beginning would have been more helpful rather than the confusion with uncertainty of what was going on. Others said that the information (to students) would have caused more panic and better off withheld.

- Ceicei

 

[kidswarrior]

the school officials were asked to be more forthcoming with the information given to the students. Some said that the information given earlier at the beginning would have been more helpful rather than the confusion with uncertainty of what was going on. Others said that the information (to students) would have caused more panic and better off withheld.

- Ceicei

Glad it turned out OK for your kids and you, Ceicei, and all the others involved (And for Lisa yesterday). In this case, as someone who is locked down with the kids during these things, I would say a little more info might have been nice. The situation Ceicei cited didn't involve actual gunfire or a known crime of any kind (local robbery,etc.--all of which I've experienced, too :uhyeah, but just a 'sighting'. In my opinion, the kids could have been told that info without undue stress, and actually might have relieved some of the tension while they waited in cramped quarters. Also would have known what the SWAT officers were looking for, making it all the more cool to watch them at work. :ultracool But that's just IMHO.

 

[Lisa]

My son's junior high school and a nearby elementary school were put in lock down last fall because of a report of a sighting of a rifle in the neighborhood. The school was in lock down for quite a while (practically all morning) with the SWAT team on standby and police searching the neighborhood as well as the school (in case the unknown person with the rifle might have gone to the junior school).

The lockdown started shortly after school began (report came in around 7:30 ish, but the school officials and the police were trying to decide whether this warranted a lock down). Half of the buses arrived during this time and dropped the students off, and by the time the school/police authorized the lockdown, the second half of the buses were then diverted to the high school. The lockdown didn't end until three and a half hours later.

This is not the first time lockdowns happened, but this one is a bit more dramatic locally as SWAT teams usually aren't called in.

My son was fine with the lockdown once he saw the heavy police presence. He and several classmates were kind of bored being trapped in his math class for several hours, but he did say it was kind of cool to watch the police and some SWAT checking the hallways all dressed up in battle gear (flak vests and rifles).

The only negative about all this (my son explained) was was that when the school was initially put under lockdown (students were told over the PA system to remain in the classrooms with doors closed and those who were out in the hallways were to go to the auditorium immediately). They were not told the reason of the lockdown. That caused a lot of anxiety and confusion. The only reason these students found out about the purpose for the lockdown was when they called on cell phones (which by the way aren't allowed in schools) to their parents and were told the news as reported from outside. The school finally announced to the students the purpose about an hour later after lockdown (to dispel rumors which were already going on).

There were students who were very shaken up about this experience and once the lockdown ended three and a half hours later, were allowed to leave one by one with a parent who desired to take them home early. Parents had to go through the heavily guarded entrance, show their id, sign papers who they desired to check out, and the child escorted to the parents with a teacher, then allowed to leave. My son did ask to leave early as this was on his mind and he couldn't focus on school, especially when some students around him were being very emotional.

This incident happened on Friday, the day before the duck hunting season started on Saturday. The person with the rifle, realizing the cause of the neighborhood anxiety, came forward later that morning to explain he was carrying his rifle in a sock down the street to his neighbor's house in preparation for the hunting season.

It is not illegal to carry a long gun covered with a sock or the shoulder, nor is it really that unusual to have people openly prepare for hunting (after all, this is a State where hunting is a big tradition).

Some people blamed this on over-reaction, others said this is just a byproduct of a time when people worried about school-shootings and wanted to be on the safe side. Others said it is an ignorance of the local traditions (such as awareness of hunting seasons and the customs of people living there). Nevertheless, no one complained about having the police and the SWAT team responding so quickly.

This did generate a lot of discussion within families and the community the pros and cons. Overall, the incident was handled well (at least by the police/SWAT team), but the school officials were asked to be more forthcoming with the information given to the students. Some said that the information given earlier at the beginning would have been more helpful rather than the confusion with uncertainty of what was going on. Others said that the information (to students) would have caused more panic and better off withheld.

- Ceicei

Excellent response Ceicei and thank you for sharing it. I bolded part of it because I wanted to expound on it a little more. NOTHING was said to my daughters as to "why" the lock down occurred, only that they were not allowed to leave and to stay in the class. Now, I am not advocating telling them that there is a mad man in your school and scaring them. I am saying that explaining to them that the threat was OUTSIDE the school would have perhaps alleviated some of the anxiety. For all my daughter knew, someone was inside and dangerous. It wasn't until I phoned the office, that I could text her back and tell her that there was no one in the school and to sit tight and everything would be okay.

There is suppose to be a note coming home today. It will be interesting to see what it says. I am expecting a blanket "police situation" response from the school. They probably can't go into any more detail then that. I would also like to say that I am pleased with the schools concern for my daughters' safety and their compliance with the lock down orders from the police. I would rather they be overly cautious.

 

[MJS]

This has happened a few times in the city in which I work, as well as recently in another of the larger cities. One group of kids were chasing another group through the streets. In addition to being chased, they were also being shot at. A teacher at a nearby elementary school saw this, and brought the group that was being chased inside. The other kids were not caught as of yet.

Needless to say, that school was in lockdown for quite a while, while the city and state police did a search of the bldg as well as surrounding areas. While the teacher was praised for what she did, there was also negative comments. This teacher did not know if the kids that were being chased had weapons as well. Now, in this case they did not, but if they had them, now the potential for a hostage situation was pretty good.

Between bomb scares, and people making threats to others at school, its really a shame things have to come to this.

Mike

 

[Andrew Green]

NOTHING was said to my daughters as to "why" the lock down occurred, only that they were not allowed to leave and to stay in the class.

I think that is the problem, people should not be detained, even for there own safety, without being given a reason. And you should also not detain peoples kids, without giving them a reason.

Even a simple "The police are dealing with a issue in the neighborhood and have requested we go to a temporary lockdown as a precaution until they are finished" would have been good.

 

[Kacey]

We had a lockdown at my middle school a few weeks ago, caused by a phone call to the local PD that a woman was walking around the area holding a gun to her head. We have 3 levels of lockdown - this was the lowest, with the outside doors locked, the kids in mobile classrooms kept in the main building, no PE classes outside, etc. This occurred as kids were arriving in the morning; teachers and administrators were outside sending them in as they arrived. The principal came on the intercom after school started, explaining that there was police activity in the area as the cause of the lockdown - no details were given beyond that. A letter was sent home that day (which is our standard practice) explaining that a police situation had occurred, again, without details.

I agree that some information needs to go out immediately - the details may not, for a variety of reasons, but something needs to be said.

 

[kidswarrior]

Excellent response Ceicei and thank you for sharing it. I bolded part of it because I wanted to expound on it a little more. NOTHING was said to my daughters as to "why" the lock down occurred, only that they were not allowed to leave and to stay in the class. Now, I am not advocating telling them that there is a mad man in your school and scaring them. I am saying that explaining to them that the threat was OUTSIDE the school would have perhaps alleviated some of the anxiety. For all my daughter knew, someone was inside and dangerous. It wasn't until I phoned the office, that I could text her back and tell her that there was no one in the school and to sit tight and everything would be okay.

Lisa, I agree with your concern over the lack of communication. I've heard too many times of parents and students having to text each other to get outside news inside to the people actually affected by it. As you said, a little info can go a long way.

 

[Lisa]

We had a lockdown at my middle school a few weeks ago, caused by a phone call to the local PD that a woman was walking around the area holding a gun to her head. We have 3 levels of lockdown - this was the lowest, with the outside doors locked, the kids in mobile classrooms kept in the main building, no PE classes outside, etc. This occurred as kids were arriving in the morning; teachers and administrators were outside sending them in as they arrived. The principal came on the intercom after school started, explaining that there was police activity in the area as the cause of the lockdown - no details were given beyond that. A letter was sent home that day (which is our standard practice) explaining that a police situation had occurred, again, without details.

I agree that some information needs to go out immediately - the details may not, for a variety of reasons, but something needs to be said.

bolded for my reference...

I agree with this wholeheartedly. My daughter was told she shouldn't have texted me about the situation. It was 1/2 hour before school was to be let out and I was going to be heading to the school to pick her up. I can only imagine the confusion on the part of the parents as they are waiting outside the school for their children and they aren't coming out. Some probably tried to get into the school. It would alarm me if I had been sitting outside school and they weren't being dismissed. Lack of information makes the mind go crazy with worry. I am glad my daughter texted me and allowed me the opportunity to find out what was going on and help calm her fears as well.

 

[kidswarrior]

I agree that some information needs to go out immediately - the details may not, for a variety of reasons, but something needs to be said.

Yes, well said, Kacey.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

I think that is the problem, people should not be detained, even for there own safety, without being given a reason. And you should also not detain peoples kids, without giving them a reason.

Even a simple "The police are dealing with a issue in the neighborhood and have requested we go to a temporary lockdown as a precaution until they are finished" would have been good.

Communication in this type of matter is essential. I agree with the above that people, children, etc should not be detained without being given a reason. A simple statement like Andrew's above would go along way to alleviate fears and keep everyone up to date.

Having said that I have been in several fluid situations like this and it is not always easy to communicate right as the situation is unfolding. Sometimes we must just trust the Police, SWAT, School Administration, teachers, etc to do their job and inform us when the time is appropriate. Even if that is a real pain.

 

[KeeblerElf]

It's interesting that schools don't give the information. Lockdowns started when I was in Junior high and continued through high school. Although information was never given at the moment we always found out exactly why we were in lockdown within five minutes of being in the classroom. All we would know in the beginning was that we were in a "code red" and no one ever said anything just went to the nearest classroom. The teachers would check their email where there would be a note explaining the situation, the email was also sent to any parents that were on the schools email list.
This always helped us understand how serious the situation was.

This really helped when there was an actual threat on the school and it was in lockdown for a full day and continued under lockdown for a second day. And for a week no one was allowed backpacks, purses, or any clothing or things that could conceal a weapon or explosives. The school was very forward with what the problem was and everyone was very compliant, although not much schoolwork was completed for a week.

 

[bluemtn]

Wow. I never thought of it until I just read this. I've had lockdown drills while in high school, but no one ever gave it much thought- I guess location? A lot of people in this area still don't lock their car doors. I guess it ranks right along with tornado drills, earthquake drills, fire drills, etc. I don't know that there really is any kind of prepping a student for one, emotionally. I remember when I first heard a tornado siren. I was 13 and all by myself, but everything came to me all at once. Grab flashlight and dog, head for center of house... It wasn't the first time I heard one, but it sure did seem like it. That said, I think the drill just becomes engrained through good practice.

 

[Carol]

Wow. I never thought of it until I just read this. I've had lockdown drills while in high school, but no one ever gave it much thought- I guess location? A lot of people in this area still don't lock their car doors.

It's not necessarily location. I'm working right now in a similar area where people don't always lock there car doors and there is very little crime. However, a few months ago a small private high school in the area went in to lockdown mode. I know this because a colleague sent out an e-mail to the company when he, like Lisa, got a text message from one of his daughters saying that the school was in lockdown. It can happen anywhere, anytime.

 

[jks9199]

Having said that I have been in several fluid situations like this and it is not always easy to communicate right as the situation is unfolding. Sometimes we must just trust the Police, SWAT, School Administration, teachers, etc to do their job and inform us when the time is appropriate. Even if that is a real pain.

Communication is often all but impossible between the people trying to handle an incident and others affected by it. There's just a whole lot going on, and often, all that the police department has done is notify the school authority (possibly not even the individual school!) about "an incident." The school authorities then decide what steps to take.

That said -- when possible and tactically appropriate, it's absolutely proper that the school know at least the broad scope of what's going on, and relay that information in an age appropriate manner to students and parents promptly. I'm not certain that I consider a note sent home the next day "promptly", though I would suspect that anything that actually locked down a school probably was worth at least a comment on the evening news! (Hey... Some of the best "intelligence sources" out there are reporters simply covering the events!)