School Lockdown Drills and Real-Life Incidents

Overview

• School lockdown drills are mandatory, with some schools conducting more than the required number.
• Purpose of drills: Prepare students and staff for real-life scenarios and minimize panic.

Lockdown Drill Procedure

• Announcement: Principal announces a lockdown drill over the intercom.
• Actions:
  • Teachers instruct students to shut curtains and gather in a non-visible corner.
  • Lights are turned off and doors locked.
• Verification: Principal checks that all doors are locked.

Real Lockdown Experiences

Incident 1: Gun Threat

• Situation: Second lockdown buzzer sounded without an announcement.

• Student Response:

  • Initially mistook it for a continuation of the drill.
  • Realized seriousness due to lack of intercom announcement.
  • Tried to find a safe hiding spot, ended up in a computer lab.

• Threat: A student with a gun was in the school.

  • Entered through a back door left open earlier.
  • Had a list of targets; police detained him.

• Personal Impact: Student's name was on the list.

  • Feared for life during the encounter.

Incident 2: Clown Threats

• Background: Series of clown sightings/crimes reported; threats via email.

  • School received threatening emails from anonymous sources.

• Teacher and Student Measures:

  • Classroom doors stayed locked.
  • Fear and anxiety prevalent among students and staff.

• Lockdown: Occurred during a trigonometry class.

  • Principal's voice indicated fear.
  • Classroom barricaded with desks and chairs.
  • Encountered someone in a clown mask trying to break in.

• Outcome: Multiple people dressed as clowns entered the school.

  • School introduced new security measures post-incident.

Incident 3: Intruder Incident

• Teacher Experience:

  • Received automated lockdown text while in a Supply Closet.
  • Encountered an unknown man claiming to be a teacher.

• Warning Signs:

  • Man did not stay with his class, raising suspicion.
  • School text update identified the suspect as an older man.

• Teacher Response: Left the closet and drove away from the school.

• Outcome:

  • Man entered posing as a parent.
  • Was armed with a gun, tried opening classroom doors.
  • Managed to leave before police arrived.
  • School security footage confirmed he was armed.

Lessons Learned

• Importance of drills in preparing for real-world scenarios.
• Need for constant vigilance and improved security measures.
• Psychological impact of real threats on students and staff.