One thing I keep noticing in the various reports is that the teachers seemed to be often "barricading the doors" and the shooter seemed able to just walk into the rooms. Did the school not have locking doors on the classrooms?
I've taught for 10+ years and I can tell you that every school I've taught at in Texas has a very specific plan for intruders and this sort of thing. We leave classroom doors locked so that they can be shut in an instant. Lights out and kids in the corner away from any windows - behind cinder block walls and not visible from the hallway.
While I'm absolutely horrified and sick just like any other parent out there, I am confident that the elementary schools in my district have the same plans that the high schools do and those teachers are likely even more diligent about knowing exactly where students are at all times.
I've read a couple of times that this particular area was "the safest in America" according to residents. The principal only recently installed a special locking mechanism. We've had that stuff since Columbine blew us all away in 1999. It shocks me that every school in this country doesn't already have the bare minimum in defensive elements and hasn't had them in place for at least 14 years. I wonder if their perceived safety put them in danger to a degree by not being more diligent. How did nobody see someone in black camo carrying an assault rifle come through the parking lot and walk up to the front door in time to sound an alarm?
For the record, my current school was built in 1939 and retrofitted with safety features, so new/old shouldn't be a factor at all.
I've taught for 10+ years and I can tell you that every school I've taught at in Texas has a very specific plan for intruders and this sort of thing. We leave classroom doors locked so that they can be shut in an instant. Lights out and kids in the corner away from any windows - behind cinder block walls and not visible from the hallway.
While I'm absolutely horrified and sick just like any other parent out there, I am confident that the elementary schools in my district have the same plans that the high schools do and those teachers are likely even more diligent about knowing exactly where students are at all times.
I've read a couple of times that this particular area was "the safest in America" according to residents. The principal only recently installed a special locking mechanism. We've had that stuff since Columbine blew us all away in 1999. It shocks me that every school in this country doesn't already have the bare minimum in defensive elements and hasn't had them in place for at least 14 years. I wonder if their perceived safety put them in danger to a degree by not being more diligent. How did nobody see someone in black camo carrying an assault rifle come through the parking lot and walk up to the front door in time to sound an alarm?
For the record, my current school was built in 1939 and retrofitted with safety features, so new/old shouldn't be a factor at all.
RIP to all the children
