I teach at a school with four extended periods. We had just begun 2nd period when around 9:20 an announcement came over the loudspeaker that we were on lockdown. All windows closed blinds drawn, doors locked, windows in doors covered.
I moved my students as far away from the door and windows as I could, had them sit on the floor. I allowed them to have their phones on vibrate, but otherwise I made them be completely quiet, not even whispering, because I did not know what was going on.
At first I thought it could be a drill because of an incident yesterday, but when we were still in lockdown after ten minutes, I knew it was not a drill.
My door opens outward, so I could not block it to prevent entry. All I could do is have several very sharpened pencils to use as weapons just in case.
That did not become necessary.
After 80 minutes, the lockdown was partially lifted. By then there were police in the building, around the building, and no one was being allowed to enter.
We were told via email that there had been a thread on social media. Robocalls had gone out to the parents, who began showing up at the school. They were not allowed on the grounds. Their identities were checked, and student names were radio’d to the office, from where we got announcements for students to report to the main lobby for early dismissal.
I am now in the 4th period, the last of the day. I have 7 students. I have 22 on my roles, and normally have 19 present. Obviously we are basically just marking time until they can get on buses and go home.
By now we have something of a complete picture. There were a series of tweets showing weapons and threatening to shoot up the school. The tweets had a real name and a real picture that matched that name. Only it was a mug shot from last Spring of a then 23 year old man arrested multiple times in Wake County NC. I suspect that the person on that twitter account was not that person. Local police seem to think they are narrowing the search for the suspect, and strongly suggestion he turn himself in.
I choose not to post the tweets. I choose not to post any pictures from our school, although local media has been all over the place. The picture for this posting is not from our school.
The name of our school is Crossland High School. You can get all the info about the tweets and related easily enough.
Another school near us was apparently briefly locked down after it received a phone threat.
As of right now I expect we will open on time tomorrow, but (a) I don’t know that for sure, and (b) if no one has yet been arrested how many parents will let their kids come to school.
I had a good groups of kids for the lockdown. It was an AP class, all tenth graders, and thus somewhat more motivated. I had after MSD talked through with all my classes what we do just in case.
I did not feel under a huge amount of stress, but as the minutes ticked by I mentally went through what I might have do if someone did try to force her/his way into my classroom.
This is not what I signed up for when I decided to be a teacher.
Peace.