Ohhh school security

As my northerner friends are dealing with getting their kids out of locked down and evacuated schools, I've been trying to find a tactful way to ask the kids new school why the place is wide open with tons of unsecured access points.  Their classrooms are individual buildings with open doors, no fences and the office in the middle of them. We literally walk past open classrooms to get to the office.  Coming from NJ where you can't show up mid-day without ID, being buzzed in through locked doors, I'm a little surprised.  And when I casually asked the principal about safety procedures, she went over children not being released without ID, etc, etc.  But it looks like I could possibly just bust into a classroom and take whoever I want...

The OCD psycho-mom in me wants to ask to see their emergency plans, lockdown procedures, etc.  But that would probably put me on some sort of crazy parent watch list...

Speaking of lockdowns and crazy parents, I know it is stressful and upsetting when your child is 'locked down' in school.  I KNOW.  Faith once had to evacuate thru the woods in her old school.  I get it.  But we should remind ourselves that between police and the school staff, our kids are as safe as humanly possible.

1. DO NOT FLOOD THE SCHOOL.  Doing so distracts law enforcement from securing the area.  It draws on human resources needed to keep the kids safe.  You want your child and you expect the school to ensure your kid isn't given to anyone else.  Let them do their job.

2. DO NOT SPREAD PANIC.  Support each other, share positive or confirmed information and if you know something super important call the police.

3. DO NOT CALL THE POLICE to ask when your kid will be home.  They are busy.  VERY VERY busy.  Even a mid-size department needs outside support when securing schools and searching areas, etc, all while still responding to motor vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, etc.

4. The Police and Schools will do all they can to ensure your kid is safe.  That may even mean not putting the full-threat info out until after the situation is over.  This is typically to keep everyone safe and catch whoever is responsible.  It's not because they think you're an idiot or even because they think they're better.  It's simple for SAFETY.

5. Hug your kids.  Let them know you were a little nervous but know that everyone would keep them safe.  Or if you think they'll obsess on that, tell them it was a big test for everyone and they did great.  Then hug them again.


Finally, I still can't figure which is scarier.  A district like Hamilton, that locks down and evacuates maybe twice a year, or a district like Pasco, whose idea of lockdown is literally locking 4 access doors per classroom.  (They haven't drilled it yet in the month we've been here.).