Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

Schools are required to do many things and I would suppose most schools do most of the requirements.  I think ours does, so yesterday we had an eminent danger drill.  The staff had training in part of a regularly scheduled meeting, and this was the second training meeting since December. We were told in the meeting that some time in the morning there would be the drill. I personally tried to avoid telling the students when the drill would happen, but they knew pretty much when it would happen.

I also had prepared my students on what to do for my classroom. After the first meeting there was an assessment of our school by local police.  During the walkaround of campus suggestions were made about different buildings and rooms.  The room I am in was hands down considered the worse protected and the worse to protect on campus.  Two walls were nothing by windows. There is no way to duck and cover, and the curtains don't slide well, and cover only 2/3's of the windows on one wall.  It feels a bit like a potential shooting gallery.  The only option is huddle in one of the back rooms, which is what I told the students is the plan. I cleaned the storage room and hoped the 30+ bodies would fit.

The good news is we all fit into the back room.  For the most part the students responded correctly.  I did peek out the door at a bad time when hearing banging on the outside door.  Not a good move and one I certainly will repeat.  Many of the students haven't learned to be quiet.  I'm not sure the that would be an issue.  In previous lockdowns students have changed their behavior drastically, so I figure most would be quiet.

My thoughts did turn to the thought of armed teachers a few times.  I did wish I was armed.  I certainly know I want more training in that realm.

Overall the event was a success.  I found that the mistakes made can be addressed.  I had no computer access and that will be a problem because it is our communication in such situations.  No radio or phone use is the rule; not that I had either in the room. There was some miscommunication amongst the leaders, but nothing life threatening. Some teachers performed better than others, as expected.  So it would seem we are prepared, at least on the surface.

I still wonder if we can really be totally prepared though.