Summary
Students and teachers at Jewett Middle Academy in Winter Haven were frightened by an unannounced “active shooter drill”. Staff members of the school had no clue that the drill was taking place. During the school day on November 16, 2014, the principal of the school commanded teachers to lockdown over the intercom. Winter Haven police officers then burst into classrooms with unloaded rifles to check if students were correctly hiding. The police officers acted as if they were real intruders in order to test the true response of the school. Teachers and students were shocked and scared out of their minds. Some children texted their parents, which got parents of the children involved and they became terrified. The school told the parents about the drill after it took place. Winter Haven Police Chief Charlie Bird defended the drill, saying, “it really is to protect the children.”
Analysis
I think that this surprising, out of the blue, scary lockdown/shooting drill was a dangerous and risky move. I believe that the school and police officers should have informed the parents, staff and children before calling such a nerve-racking drill. If I were in this situation where I was surprised by an intruder with a rifle storming into my classroom, I would be horrified. I think that it is a good idea that the community is trying to prepare the schools for emergency situations, but I think they should have handled it with more precaution.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think the school administration and police station made the right call by doing this “active shooter drill”?
2. What would you do if you were in this situation?
3. How do you think the school should approach future drills?
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| http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/16/ |
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