lockdown?!?!

LOL, I was thinking that exact same thing. Yeah, those desks would have helped a whole lot!

To me it is just different - we no longer feel threatened by nuclear weapons so we don't hide under desks anymore. But as there could be a threat inside the school there is now a way to deal with that. And around here, the threat can be just near the school, not necessarily in the school, to trigger a lockdown. If there is some kind of violent or potentially violent crime near a school it will be locked down until the situation is no longer threatening. This is a very good thing I think - who wants the kids walking home if there is the potential for an armed robber lurking around?

As for it scaring the kids, that is a problem for some. One of my son's classmates is very afraid when they do these things. My guess is he watches to news too much. I forgot Redchief's statistics and obviously even one is too many incidents of school violence, but I am going to guess that our kids are statistically more likely to be hurt or killed in a car accident than they are to be involved in a violent school situation. But they aren't afraid to get into the car. I think that speaks a lot to what we focus on. JMHO

I'm Canadian and I'm not shocked. Our children have attended the same school for 3 years and they practice fire and lock down drills. Three of each throughout the school year.

We get a note home a few days before, and they tell the children in advance that they're going to do it. Our children weren't scared because before the school does the first lock down drill, they hold an assembly and explain everything. The children can ask questions, if need be. I don't think any child was scared.

We had only one lock down, and that was due to an irate parent storming the school. The principal didn't know whether the parent had a weapon and therefore called the drill.

I know parents don't like the idea of a lock down, why scare the children unnecessarily? IMO, if that's you're thinking, then have your schools get rid of the fire drills, too. Do you allow your young children to answer the door? No. And why not? Because it MIGHT be a bad person.

Due to moving around and having 3 children, our children have attended a total of 6 schools. Each school had the practice of locking ALL doors but the one closest to the principals office. EVERY person entering the school HAD to go to the office first to sign in. If you tried to bypass it [and I have on occasion, either by forgetfulness or testing them] then the secretary or a teacher would nail you before you got very far. In the children's school now, you HAVE to wear either a Volunteer or a Visitor badge, even if you're in the school for a few minutes. I have to pass my DS's class to go to the office to get a badge, and if I just pop my head in the class door to give DS his forgotten homework or lunch, I get chastised . Once I had to pee really bad and couldn't wait till after I signed in, the secretary laughed because I signed in and out at the same time after I'd gone, lol.

FWIW, I have fire drills at my HOME once a month and we even have a sort of lock down drill. My children have a safe, secure place to hide if a home invasion or burglary attempt was ever made in my home. They have both been taught how to get away from strangers if one tries to snag them. They have been taught to yell, "This is NOT my Daddy/Mommy!" if a stranger attempts to take them somewhere. We even have screaming practices so I know they can be LOUD if need be.

We have a secret password that HAS to be told to the teacher AND to the child before they can be removed from the school or anywhere else. It's a new password each time and even if it's someone they know, they're NOT to leave with them if that person doesn't know the password.

Are my children afraid to go outside? No. Are they afraid at all? Leery of strangers, but not afraid. Why not? Because they are AWARE and because they both know that even though they're small, they still have POWER.

There is a LOT of stuff to be afraid of these days. Our children are not aware of everything out there, only what could possibly affect them. When you are empowered with the knowledge, you are less afraid. I want my children to grow up and live, plain and simple. And I want them to be survivors, but to NOT be victims.

This is an old post

Guess I better be more careful on reading dates

I spoke out big time on this one and while I still agree with everything that I said I would probably phrase a lot of it differently now. Guess that's why I wanted to point out it was an old topic - don't want anyone to think I'm still as arguementative as I was then.

i have a hard time seeing how you can equate the two and think this statement is a bit extreme. fire drills, car seats, not leaving kids home alone or letting them answer the door is just common safety. as i stated previously, the school has many safety measures in place and believe the teachers need to be trained for possible situations but having my kids hide in the dark under a table every few months is only scaring them unnecessarily. i am not the only parent who feels this way but no one is eager to go against the school because you just don't win without some official behind you. just because i don't support the lockdown drills does not mean i don't educate my children about the dangers of the world or set them up to be victims.

Kimberley... I think that stories we hear on the media from our american friends can only lead to us protecting ourselves before what they go through makes it across the border. It sucks... and unecessary... but you just never know....and as much as lockdowns blow... I think that overall I'd rather my kids know to get under the desk and be quiet than panic and be hurt.

Your entire post was well said Twelve Volt Man. Thank you for everything you do!

The quoted portion of your post is exactly how I feel and why I believe drills are necessary. The world can be an ugly place but it doesn't always have to be scary, if we are prepared for the ugliness.