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On one of the first days as a sub, my class had a fire drill. It was business as usual as my students were released to return to the room and received a passing “grade” for the exercise.
A fire drill is a rite of passage. But little did I know that within 24 hours, I was to be part of yet another “drill” which would forever change my sense of responsibility in school.
THE MEMO
When I substitute, I sign in and receive my class assignment. However, this time what I received was extremely unusual, uncomfortable and frightening. It was to be before first period would begin. I sat at the desk in complete disbelief reading three times a document titled “ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL.” I was stunned.
We’re all involved in the arguments about the NRA, mental-health and wellness related aspects and at some point have said “guns don’t kill people; people kill people.” And conversely, we have heard “if the people didn’t have access to the guns to begin with there would be no mass shootings.”
Something about reading this directive put my head in a different space. After successfully completing the surreal activity, I tossed the class assignment and spent the remaining time talking to the kids in all of the periods. I asked them to share their experience and feelings of having to lie down on the floor – on stomachs or completely flat on backs.
THE FEAR
This was not like anything experienced in their lives, let alone in school. Many students shared stories of sleeping problems, fear of coming to school in the morning, staying in the afternoon for activities and returning for night events. Many have some anxiety throughout the day, especially when seeing “unknown” people in the halls.
In response to mass shootings, schools have been forced to initiate drills. Just like a fire drill, students act out how to behave in an emergency situation. Unlike fire drills, they may be doing more harm than good.
Talk about creating fear. I had to turn off all lights, lock classroom doors, pull down window shades, and cover door windows. This is to prevent a potential shooter not just from entering the room, but being able to see if children are present.
THE NEW CLASSROOM
These drills are usually meant to mimic a real situation, which can lead to some horrifying scenarios. Imagine being that student who isn’t in the classroom when the drill begins and not allowed to rejoin their classmates and can be forced to remain alone until the drill is over – or the gunfire.
It’s one thing as an educator to wonder how many lives you touch. It’s another ensuring you did everything possible to ensure that violence doesn’t. Though some of the aspects of a shooter drill have changed, the need has not.
I know because this column was first published on November 12, 2018.
It ran 272 days after the February 14 shooting where 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire and murdered 14 students, one teacher and two staff and injuring 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Today’s column is being published on June 6, 2022.
It’s running 13 days after the May 24, 2022 shooting where 18-year-old Salvador Rolando Ramos opened fire and murdered 19 students and two teachers, and wounded 17 other people at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
THE STATS
Not much has changed except the numbers.
In 2022 so far, there have already been 27 school shootings in which someone was injured or killed, according to Education Week’s ”School Shooting Tracker.”
A school tracker for shootings? Is this what it has come to? Or better yet, where does it go?
I suppose an Obits section is not too far off.
This column is by Ritchie Lucas, Founder of The Student Success Project and Think Factory Consulting. He can be reached at 305-788-4105 or email at ritchie@thinkfactory.com and on Facebook and You Tube as The Student Success Project.
