We had a lockdown today in my school

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri May 02, 2008 2:33 pm

Yes indeed we had our first lockdown in our elementary school today, and it was as scary as all h*ll.

Our faculty has been brainstorming and setting up procedures for a school "Lockdown," since 9/11 and the onset of the school shootings in some of our States. Today was the day to see how prepared we were. We did well...didn't panic and got all the kids home safely.

We had a crazy day today with a last minute program that never seemed to end. We had to hustle the kids with packing up to get them on their journey home. All of a sudden the police department and District Supervisors were walking through our school...with a smile on their faces mind you...just giving us the eye to not panic and keep the kids calm....

Seems a gunman, after doing damage in the neighborhood....not sure what yet, was loose in our neighborhood and our school went into "Lockdown... mode" Police escorted the children onto the bus, teachers brought the children who walked home to the cafeteria, parents came into the school to collect their children, and some children were driven home by staff.

All ended up well......I was so proud of our little ones. Everyone was so upset because we didn't know what happened. Some of our kids started to cry no matter how hard we tried to soothe them. So I just told my kids that something happened outside, but our town is safe. We just don't want you walking home alone, and your parents are coming into the school to take you home soon. I told my kids that you have to show me how brave you are right now so you don't scare the little ones. That did the trick......tears stopped and they remained calm.

I just feel so good right now because we all knew what to do. During the last few years we've developed different scenarios about what we would do if we had a lockdown in different locations of the school or outside. So we felt as prepared as could be. You never know though....even though we have our school locked at all times and are aware of everyone who enters the school....someone could possible get into the school.

So now thank you listening to my day that ended up well.....I need to go to the Pubnutters and get a cosmo and one of duck's sammys.... My heart is still pounding after this experience.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri May 02, 2008 2:36 pm

Sounds like you all handled it calmly, reassuring the young ones that they didn't need to be afraid. Good job, dear Kathy, it is a trying situation when this happens, and you all handled it well! (the cause, oh, that is scarey!)

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri May 02, 2008 2:46 pm

Thanks Chonsi:-4

It was a very frightening situation, and I'm happy that all of our faculty, administrations and district leaders remained calm. Years ago our school was open for anyone to enter. I ended up going home right after school because I felt the school unsafe and complained daily.

Finally something was done after 9/11 and the school shootings. Why does it take a tragedy to secure your school

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri May 02, 2008 2:48 pm

Yes, things are not as safe anymore near the schools. They vandalize our cars alot, my poor team leader had his catalytic converter sawed off yesterday, the second time in five years.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri May 02, 2008 2:53 pm

chonsigirl;854963 wrote: Yes, things are not as safe anymore near the schools. They vandalize our cars alot, my poor team leader had his catalytic converter sawed off yesterday, the second time in five years.

Ahhhh Chonsi,

That is truly awful:mad: When I worked in a poor area of town years ago, they had to lock our cars in a fenced-off area , and a school guard had to escort us across the street to our car and wait until we drove away. But that was an extreme situation...this town was extremely dangerous.

Now, I teach in a quiet, little town and we shouldn't be having these problems here.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:07 pm

I'm glad this story had a happy ending. :-4

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:32 pm

Glad to hear the procedure went as planned.

We had those "air raid" drills in school when we had to get under our desks. This was late 50's..........early 60's. When the threat was "nucleur". The dangers to the schools seem more real now, and sad.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:40 pm

Thanks Peg and Along:-4

This could have been a serious situation if the gunman was in the school and that could have happened.

Just makes me wonder why I worry about small things sometimes.....

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:42 pm

Kathy it sounds like your school did so well in handling this situation. :-4 Sadly it seems that schools now have to be prepared for this kind of situation, and thankfully some are. I can tell from your posts and exchanges that we have had that you are a very caring and thoughtful teacher, and for that your children should be glad. It's just so sad that we have to put our kids through this kind of stuff at all

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:54 pm

Pheasy;855010 wrote: Kathy it sounds like your school did so well in handling this situation. :-4 Sadly it seems that schools now have to be prepared for this kind of situation, and thankfully some are. I can tell from your posts and exchanges that we have had that you are a very caring and thoughtful teacher, and for that your children should be glad. It's just so sad that we have to put our kids through this kind of stuff at all

Thanks Pheasy:-4

Right now I have tears in my eyes because it made me realize how precious life is. We were lucky today and things went well...

I felt so sorry for my little ones...When I talked with some of my kidlets they told me that they feared that their parents would be hurt , and that's why they cried....

I'm happy that they didn't panic......and trusted me:-4

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:03 pm

bloomin ekk Kathy Ellen...........so glad it all went as planned

Big hugs for you {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

well done to you and those kiddies x

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:12 pm

Kathy Ellen;855014 wrote: Thanks Pheasy:-4

Right now I have tears in my eyes because it made me realize how precious life is. We were lucky today and things went well...

I felt so sorry for my little ones...When I talked with some of my kidlets they told me that they feared that their parents would be hurt , and that's why they cried....

I'm happy that they didn't panic......and trusted me:-4

A teachers job is a difficult one - a substitute Mummy, a teacher, a rule enforcer - to be everything all rolled into one. A parent, of many :-4 You are probably aware that I have decided to home-school next year, it's not because of the elementary teachers (they were all fantastic), it's todays ways, todays happenings that scare me . I never realised how different things would be when moving on from elementary school. The risks are too high. I wish my children could of had teachers like you throughout there school years, but sadly the teachers change too

Keep up the good work Kathy, hopefully times will change for the better. :-4

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:45 pm

Pheasy;855034 wrote: A teachers job is a difficult one - a substitute Mummy, a teacher, a rule enforcer - to be everything all rolled into one. A parent, of many :-4 You are probably aware that I have decided to home-school next year, it's not because of the elementary teachers (they were all fantastic), it's todays ways, todays happenings that scare me . I never realised how different things would be when moving on from elementary school. The risks are too high. I wish my children could of had teachers like you throughout there school years, but sadly the teachers change too

Keep up the good work Kathy, hopefully times will change for the better. :-4

Hello Luv:-4

Thank you so much for your post. You just made me cry there. Yes, things are way different when our kidlets move from elementary to intermediate school... ( going from an 11/12 yr old to a 14/15 yr old, but that is the nature of the beast....We need to give them foundations in the lower grades, and it's not a happy transition to the next level. The curriculum is so difficult in the upper grades.

Pheasy, you are taking on a difficult task, and I wish you all the best of success in home schooling. I've never had experience with children who were home schooled, so I'm clueless. But, I can offer you any advice that I can, and hopefully can supply you with books or materials that you may need. Stay in touch with me and I can always email info and send books and curriculum material to you.

We'll talk ok:-4 Anything you need...I probably have...and will send it to you:-6

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:22 pm

Thanks Jester:-4

We later found out that this bas***d had a gun, robbed a home and was running towards our school. Luckily he was caught and is in jail now....no one was hurt:-6

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:13 pm

Best of luck Jester:-6....our schools need as much security as possible. Before 911 our schools were open to everyone. Now they're locked down for most of the time.

It's a scary world indeed.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:32 pm

Just read this. Glad everything turned out okay, Kathy. Idiot kids at my high school would probably try to run TOWARD the danger because they don't want to miss the show. :-5

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:44 pm

Accountable;857536 wrote: Just read this. Glad everything turned out okay, Kathy. Idiot kids at my high school would probably try to run TOWARD the danger because they don't want to miss the show. :-5

Thanks Accountable:-6

I was so proud of my kidlets....they're only 9 yrs. old so they were scared because they didn't know what was happening. I was so proud of them because they were so brave. When they started to cry and get more upset, I kept telling them that they had to be brave for me and the little kids..."have to set a good example," I said and they did.... All turned out well. Bought them Dunkin Donuts and juice for a treat today.

I've mostly taught 6th grade and I agree with what you said about your kids.....mine would have done the same thing. Where there's trouble I'm there was their motto:wah::wah:

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:46 pm

Accountable,

I keep forgetting to tell you...

Do you know that you can't click onto your "Support the Troops" link?? It's been like that for a bit...sorry.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:01 pm

Kathy Ellen;857545 wrote: Accountable,

I keep forgetting to tell you...

Do you know that you can't click onto your "Support the Troops" link?? It's been like that for a bit...sorry.
Thanks, I'll check that out.

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Tue May 06, 2008 12:11 am

Hey Kathy,

I just read this for the first time also....

WOW!! what a scary day for you last Friday! I am so so so very glad it turned out well and that no-one was harmed. I am saddened by today's school shootings and insecurities that it brings upon children and school staff members, we should feel good about sending our kids to school, not scared that something bad will happen....

I am glad you were ready for the situation and that your "troopers" were brave and strong!! I think it is great that you took them a treat to reward them, that sounds like something I would've done!:-4

Thank you for being a good, loving teacher Kathy, you are truly a blessing!:-4