I can honestly say that until Dec 14 2012, I never ever thought this could or would happen in an elementary school.Many here are teachers and I remember some posting about practicing lock downs in their rooms.Not sure what grades they taught but I would think the schools do it for every grade.Some times I really believe the world has gone mad and evil is truly living among us.
::raisesHand::: Me me me. I have been trained in CT for lockdowns at every level k-8 school and a HS -except the college where I teach.
The training video we were shown by the local police showed an example so close to what happened there it is absolutely frightening. ( then and haunting now)In the demonstration- they show you- the teacher looking outside and seeing someone -heavily armed -walking by the windows.
The examples we were told were all sorts of threats...including an alienated parent of a kid, or spouse of teacher or staff member. In a nursery school - in a synagogue a staff worker was literally brutally gunned -down by her ex husband in her office!!!!!
The other part of the lockdown demonstration film they showed us also showed the hypothetical perp- walking through halls...trying doors and moving on!
The directions were - specifically ...immediate system...UPON hearing code word started by anyone who saw it first!!!!!!!( so that would be teacher seeing armed gunman- or main office - or gym- where ever!!!!here are the procedures in CT: Locking doors-- covering windows- placing students and your self in a place in the room where they are not seen or heard. ( alot in ashort time) I gave the example that when the VP and I waved to the police officer through the window in our door...the officer told us- we would be dead. NO you do not ever face to face with the Killer!!!!! No you don't say..."the students are in the gym" :-( that protected THOSE Students...not that teacher...and also put the students who were in the gym in peril!
The ones who survived that shooting were trained. The example shared here in WS by the parent whose HS kids' Princ. and Vice princ were killed-in a school-shooting worked. Thank god They did what they were supposed to do. That is why noone is suing. They waited all day ( safely)till they were liberated by officers. That is the way it was supposed to be done.
IMO and in the training I have received in this state...I am sorry...noone should have heard anyone screaming,, crying ...or being shot. They only should have heard - some code word. Every one even substitutes need to know the procedures - have keys- and know- the one code word. "MR rogers" "Liverwurst" " helterskelter"--whatever it is.
:-( I am so sorry this whole thing makes my heart hurt for my colleagues, and the students, and the families and for the first responders, and those tiny little kids- who had to see it all. :-( ( no they did not close their eyes - they saw and heard A LOT)
I am sure there will be other law suits. I truly think thiis first one is symbolic.
I am so sorry to say...we are not invincible.