Week 21

Happy Spouse's Day

January 26 - Student of the Month Luncheon

February 13 - Bright Futures meeting @ 3:00 in the library
February 14 - Club Day @ 9:00-10:00
February 14 - Valentine's Day parties @ 1:30
February 15 - Board Meeting @ 7:00
February 16 - Collaboration Day @ 8:00-3:00

February 19 - No School
February 21 - 5th Grade to Tinnin Fine Arts (Laura Ingalls Wilder) @ 9:15-10:15
February 23 - 4th Grade to Tinnin Fine Arts (Laura Ingalls Wilder) @ 9:15-10:15

The other day on our school facebook page, I received a message from a parent. Basically, after the school shooting in Kentucky, the parent asked their student what they would do if an intruder came to school. The good news is that the student knew exactly what to do if this happened while they were in their classroom. Unfortunately, most of these events take place in common areas and at busy times. Places like the gym or the cafeteria are likely spots for a school shooting to take place. This student didn't know what they were supposed to do in those areas, and I'm sure most don't nor do our teachers. We have done a poor job of being prepared. 

There are a thousand different scenarios and what ifs that could happen in a school shooting. Unfortunately, there is no way we can be prepared for every possible contingency. What your students need to know is that they need to get away. They need to run to the nearest exit and get out of the building. If they are cornered and can't get out, they need to fight back.

If students are in the gym, the location of an intruder really decides where they should go. The gym is a really tough situation because there are only two ways off the gym floor. If an intruder is in the gym lobby or on the catwalk, they need to head out the back door by the old girl's locker room. If the intruder got in by the SINGS room or by the girls locker room, they need to head out the other side of the gym. Once outside, they need to get as far from the building as possible. The thing to remember about the back side of the building is that it is all enclosed, so if they were pursued, they could eventually be boxed in. The best case scenario would be for them to turn and go behind the annex and towards the theater.

If students are in the cafeteria, again the location of the intruder would dictate what they should do, with the ultimate goal being to get out of the building and as far away as possible. If an intruder comes in the back door of the cafeteria, students and staff should head out the doors to the playground and to the hallway. If an intruder comes from the playground or school side, then they would need to head out the back doors and like the scenario above, head towards the theater.

The playground is another area of concern. There are so many scenarios that could play out on the playground that it would be impossible to outguess them all. Try to get away to safety or fight back.

Once again, there are many ways something like this can play out, so I think the thing to tell your students would be to get out and get away, but if they can't get away, they need to fight back.

We plan to visit with students in these areas in the near future, but it would be beneficial if you could have some talks with them before hand.


On a lighter note, there is this...