In Memorium

The kids school is holding a lockdown drill and emergency evacuation today. Some people have felt it inappropriate, but I think its a brilliant day for these excercises. Patriot Day, the school mascot is Patriots. The kids are wearing red. Im sure there will be lessons on patriotism this morning before the drill gets started. A couple years ago I was helping at the school when they did a lockdown drill. It was FRIGHTENING! Isaac was there with me. When the alarm sounded, we were to lock the door, turn out the lights, and hide huddled on the floor in the closet area with all the children- as if we werent there. Then someone came arond the halls and rattled the door to see if they could get in, they knocked, and banged, but we were instructed NOT to respond. Or make a sound. As an adult, I was pretty unnerved, I cant imagine what the kids were feeling. Their teacher was awesome and the kids did not make a peep- including Isaac. Yes, this is terrorism in itself. But, I think its important. Our kids know that something terrible could happen someday, and they are more likely to respond well. So, today they will do a lockdown drill, (btw any child outside of the classroom-ie in the bathroom gets locked out.) thats the rules. And they are following up with an emergency evacuation drill- the city is sending in UTA to bus the kids to a local park, the city is feeding them lunch, then we get to proceed through the parent checkout process via Police Security. This should be a huge nightmare, some parents are opting out, but I believe it is necessary to help the school and city figure out what works, or dosent.