What is the go with lockdown drills in schools is it really necessary or are we just placing more fear?

Question

into our childrens already overly adult pressured lives.

I would love to hear your views and experiences did you know about this advancement in security in your childs school

Answer 1

No they are needed. This fall there was someone that was being chased by the police by my children's school. A lot of children were outside for gym class and recesses. It was during the second week of school so they had not even practiced a lock down drill. They only do them twice a year. I do wish the school had a system so the teachers would know if it was just a threat in the community, like the one this fall or a direct threat on the school.

Answer 2

It's a fact of life anymore, as sad as it is.  I find that we had better be safe than sorry.  I was grateful, as a site director of a school-age program, for the lockdown drill.  The police came to observe us and gave us tips, helped set a procedure.  This gave my staff and I the comfort of "knowing what we could do".  As for placing more fear?  I didn't notice this happening at all.  We discussed it matter of factly and they seemed to understand (Grades K-5).

Answer 3

Maybe rather then opressing children it is empowering them.

They hear whats going on around the world and are immersed (or exposed) to a world of violent video games and tv etc which fuel their conerns and worries in the world.

By offering them a way to protect themselves and the people they care about we are empowering them to handle fears which  hopefully will never need to be put into action but the fears that it could happen will be there regardless of whether it does or not.

I believe that preparation and recognition of a potentual threat or fear is a powerful coping tool.

No point denying what they are exposed to already.

Answer 4

Cupboard made some great points that I agree with in part.  This is a very heavy topic that I do not propose to have the answer to.  I do think that the fear is increasing due to these drills/attacks.  I think that I will offer a quote from a documentary.  However we can empower these children to feel connected with the community (school) and not scared pedestrians.......I am for it!!  I think at the root of all of this is gun control, alienation vs belonging, active "citizenship" in communities.  This is big!

"The people most without fear after 911 were those working at ground zero…they were also the most in danger.  They were without fear because they were doing something….they were engaged…..they had a civic task……

American citizens asked the government what can we do?  How can we become engaged and exercise some responsibility? (we wanted that!!)Unfortunately Pres. Bush said “go shopping….we will protect you.”

Spectatorship is an invitation to fear……………

Citizenship is how we fight the politics of fear!!!

The politics of citizenship, engagement, taking responsibilities…….is a better way to fight terrorism than being spectators. Spectatorship allows the government to rob us of our liberties,  citizenship…..  our multiculturalism….in the name of protecting us!!

Benjamin Barber (author) from Hijacking Catastrophe

Answer 5

NO they are necessary.

A month ago, four people robbed a bank in a small town and took off. they were heavily armed. They zig zagged  on side roads and almost avoided the police but someone called in on a cell phone cause they were weaving around and going fast. When the cops were closing in two of them jumped out of the car and took off through a corn field. Not too far on the other side of that field was a school. Cops called immediately and told that school to lock down until they could get over there. The robbers didn't go to the school thank goodness but if they had, they  could have walked in and taken hostages. The lock down kept them out and protected the kids.