I recently read a horrifying account from a teacher dealing with lockdown drills in her elementary school. teacherken diaried about this letter here:
Rehearsing for death: A pre-K teacher on the trouble with lockdown drills
The thing that sticks with me is the helplessness involved, and my gut feeling that actually keeping a room full of kids silent in that moment is begging for the impossible.
Consider the words she chose: "Rehearsing for Death".
Not only is this rehearsal likely to fail, it is training our kids to be passive and frightened, and taking all agency out of their hands. Until we actually overturn the second amendment (my own preference) we'll just have to face that we live in a country where guns are going to be used again against our children. Is that a depressing thought? Damn straight it is.
Here is a link to the Facebook page of somebody who is trying to figure out an alternate response than just hiding, who believes that we should strive to enable our students to defend themselves, and give them the necessary tools to succeed.
Project Prepared: Response Options for School Intruders
Thoughts?
If you have helpful suggestions there's your place to make 'em.
There is a big part of me that hopes that the actual process of defending our kids will demonstrate how ludicrous this debate is, and that it helps move us towards choosing a different path.
Please comment respectfully in this diary. The topic is controversial and emotions are rightfully high.