Anyone else frustrated with the lack of info. given in alert emails?

[Anonymous]

My kid's elementary went "hold" (kid said his teacher called it lockdown not hold) the other day and the email received was so frustrating!

I don't know how to post a photo so I will copy the text.

Dear School Families,

This is Principal. I wanted to let you know something unusual happened at school today. Our building briefly went into Hold mode this morning to investigate an alleged threat at the school. In addition, students may have seen emergency vehicles on campus. The situation was quickly resolved with minimal disruption to the school day. Because this may involve disciplinary consequences, I cannot offer further information.

We lifted the Hold designation at 8:55 am and expect a normal remainder of the school day, including on-time dismissal. The safety and security of all LCPS students and employees is our highest priority, and we appreciate parents' cooperation when these unexpected events occur.

Signature.

Honestly, getting this kind of email is more frustrating than not getting one at all. I didn't even receive this until almost 9:30 am that day and I didn't read it until nearly 10 am.

Why can't they say what type of alleged threat?

Because guess what? Every student in that school knew something happened. Why? Because kids did see the emergency responders present. And those in the upper grades had teachers who walked them through the lockdown protocol. A friend with a K student said her kid heard about there being firetrucks at school but the teacher and aide kept things as normal as usual for them.

My kid is a 5th grader and was 100% aware there was some kind of threat/issue at school. He said all anyone talked about that day was what happened that morning but no one knew anything. So basically, a learning day was wasted because the kids couldn't focus on anything else because they too were worried and wanted to know what happened.

And my kid had questions when he got home - questions that I couldn't answer. He wanted to know what kind of threat. He wanted to know if he was safe or safe-safe that day (safe-safe meaning it was a fake threat he said?). He wanted to know why his teacher wouldn't let any students get their phones from their backpacks. He was upset that if it was "a big thing, like a big shooting, you know, I couldn't text you bye and love you one last time, mom." Ack, that broke my heart and his little voice cracked when he said it. And again, I was at a loss because I had no info!! I did my best to comfort him and reassure him, but he's a smart kid. He understands what lockdowns mean.

He's been very clingy since Monday and rightly so. He's not resisted going to school but he's definitely lingered until the last minute before going to the bus stop whereas before he always went early to chat with friends. Students are allowed to have their phones at lunch and each day at lunch he's texted me "ilu mom" which he never did before. His teacher didn't allow them to get phones at lunch on Monday, probably to try to reel things in and get focused. But he's been very focused, and honestly upset, that his teacher restricted phones. DH said DS spoke with him about getting an Apple watch so he could text from it if something happened since his phone has to remain in his backpack. He told DH it could be his bday and Christmas gifts for 2023. Again...my heart breaks!!!!

I emailed the principal and the response I got back was scripted and canned. No details blah blah blah disciplinary action blah.

I admit - I sent a terse response back. I let her know that the lack of information is more troubling for some kids because it leaves them wondering and creating scenarios in their heads. I basically told it's possible to give more information without giving specifics. For example, you can say "it was a bomb threat via found note" or "it was a verbal threat by a student to use a firearm" or "it was a student having a sensory overload". Those all give more details without giving DETAILS.

Rant over. I had coffee with two friends this morning who have kids in 4th and 5th grade and their kids are also having issues dealing with it, so that was good to find out DS isn't alone in struggling.

[Anonymous]

They don’t want to give out incorrect information or violate FERPA. But I agree these notices are aggravating for their lack of detail.

[Anonymous]

Could also be at the request of law enforcement in order to avoid compromising an active investigation.

[Anonymous]

I believe this is a universal issue. Parents have the same complaints about similarly scripted letters and notices from MCPS in Md.

It’s beyond frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Does he have anxiety? I say this because that does seem like an extreme reaction (not the curiosity, but suddenly texting ILU and being clingy when nothing bad happened to or around him). I would wonder if he needs help in navigating these types of issues, since he will face them again.

[Anonymous]

This is a new poster and to PP - this doesn't sound like an anxious response. It sounds like a pretty normal response for a kid who is old and astute to know something is wrong, and young enough to not be able to make sense of this very confusing world. OP, I have had similar frustrations with vague, canned answers from my school about a range of issues -- and this is just generally heartbreaking to read. I don't have advice, I'm just sorry this is happening.

[Anonymous]

Why does a 5th grader have a phone? Why is a 5th grader bringing a phone to school? That is just making it worse and giving a false sense of security and then becomes a fixation to manage anxious feelings and it's a crutch. Kids like this need to sit in the discomfort of not knowing or being uncertain and learn they can have that feeling and be ok and manage it. If your child works with a therapist, this is the actual work they will do with them.

I have a child who has anxiety and this sounds like anxiety if it's going on much past a couple days following the event.

If your child is having ongoing struggles, please get him help to manage the feelings. They are very, very real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does a 5th grader have a phone? Why is a 5th grader bringing a phone to school? That is just making it worse and giving a false sense of security and then becomes a fixation to manage anxious feelings and it's a crutch. Kids like this need to sit in the discomfort of not knowing or being uncertain and learn they can have that feeling and be ok and manage it. If your child works with a therapist, this is the actual work they will do with them.

I have a child who has anxiety and this sounds like anxiety if it's going on much past a couple days following the event.

If your child is having ongoing struggles, please get him help to manage the feelings. They are very, very real.

Every kid in my DD's 3rd grade has a phone except her. We are going to gift her my old phone for her bday in a few weeks. We have an older kid who didn't get a phone until middle school, but younger DD is already suffering the consequences of not having a phone. Classmates and friends are making plans via the phone and excluding her since she doesn't have one. Not to be malicious but because they forget about her.

My therapist taught me that social health is an important part of mental health. Being socially excluded affects mental health. It's unfortunate that it starts so young, but that's the world we live in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid's elementary went "hold" (kid said his teacher called it lockdown not hold) the other day and the email received was so frustrating!

I don't know how to post a photo so I will copy the text.

Dear School Families,

This is Principal. I wanted to let you know something unusual happened at school today. Our building briefly went into Hold mode this morning to investigate an alleged threat at the school. In addition, students may have seen emergency vehicles on campus. The situation was quickly resolved with minimal disruption to the school day. Because this may involve disciplinary consequences, I cannot offer further information.

We lifted the Hold designation at 8:55 am and expect a normal remainder of the school day, including on-time dismissal. The safety and security of all LCPS students and employees is our highest priority, and we appreciate parents' cooperation when these unexpected events occur.

Signature.

Honestly, getting this kind of email is more frustrating than not getting one at all. I didn't even receive this until almost 9:30 am that day and I didn't read it until nearly 10 am.

Why can't they say what type of alleged threat?

Because guess what? Every student in that school knew something happened. Why? Because kids did see the emergency responders present. And those in the upper grades had teachers who walked them through the lockdown protocol. A friend with a K student said her kid heard about there being firetrucks at school but the teacher and aide kept things as normal as usual for them.

My kid is a 5th grader and was 100% aware there was some kind of threat/issue at school. He said all anyone talked about that day was what happened that morning but no one knew anything. So basically, a learning day was wasted because the kids couldn't focus on anything else because they too were worried and wanted to know what happened.

And my kid had questions when he got home - questions that I couldn't answer. He wanted to know what kind of threat. He wanted to know if he was safe or safe-safe that day (safe-safe meaning it was a fake threat he said?). He wanted to know why his teacher wouldn't let any students get their phones from their backpacks. He was upset that if it was "a big thing, like a big shooting, you know, I couldn't text you bye and love you one last time, mom." Ack, that broke my heart and his little voice cracked when he said it. And again, I was at a loss because I had no info!! I did my best to comfort him and reassure him, but he's a smart kid. He understands what lockdowns mean.

He's been very clingy since Monday and rightly so. He's not resisted going to school but he's definitely lingered until the last minute before going to the bus stop whereas before he always went early to chat with friends. Students are allowed to have their phones at lunch and each day at lunch he's texted me "ilu mom" which he never did before. His teacher didn't allow them to get phones at lunch on Monday, probably to try to reel things in and get focused. But he's been very focused, and honestly upset, that his teacher restricted phones. DH said DS spoke with him about getting an Apple watch so he could text from it if something happened since his phone has to remain in his backpack. He told DH it could be his bday and Christmas gifts for 2023. Again...my heart breaks!!!!

I emailed the principal and the response I got back was scripted and canned. No details blah blah blah disciplinary action blah.

I admit - I sent a terse response back. I let her know that the lack of information is more troubling for some kids because it leaves them wondering and creating scenarios in their heads. I basically told it's possible to give more information without giving specifics. For example, you can say "it was a bomb threat via found note" or "it was a verbal threat by a student to use a firearm" or "it was a student having a sensory overload". Those all give more details without giving DETAILS.

Rant over. I had coffee with two friends this morning who have kids in 4th and 5th grade and their kids are also having issues dealing with it, so that was good to find out DS isn't alone in struggling.

1.) The event was ongoing until the hold was lifted at 8:55 am. You, the parent, were notified, by 9:30 AM. I'd say that was very timely notice.

2.) The school isn't going to say exactly what happened because they don't want to encourage any copycatters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does a 5th grader have a phone? Why is a 5th grader bringing a phone to school? That is just making it worse and giving a false sense of security and then becomes a fixation to manage anxious feelings and it's a crutch. Kids like this need to sit in the discomfort of not knowing or being uncertain and learn they can have that feeling and be ok and manage it. If your child works with a therapist, this is the actual work they will do with them.

I have a child who has anxiety and this sounds like anxiety if it's going on much past a couple days following the event.

If your child is having ongoing struggles, please get him help to manage the feelings. They are very, very real.

Every kid in my DD's 3rd grade has a phone except her. We are going to gift her my old phone for her bday in a few weeks. We have an older kid who didn't get a phone until middle school, but younger DD is already suffering the consequences of not having a phone. Classmates and friends are making plans via the phone and excluding her since she doesn't have one. Not to be malicious but because they forget about her.

My therapist taught me that social health is an important part of mental health. Being socially excluded affects mental health. It's unfortunate that it starts so young, but that's the world we live in.

3rd grade? This is not typical! No child in my third grader’s class has a phone and they certainly wouldn’t be savvy enough to make their own social plans and schedules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid's elementary went "hold" (kid said his teacher called it lockdown not hold) the other day and the email received was so frustrating!

I don't know how to post a photo so I will copy the text.

Dear School Families,

This is Principal. I wanted to let you know something unusual happened at school today. Our building briefly went into Hold mode this morning to investigate an alleged threat at the school. In addition, students may have seen emergency vehicles on campus. The situation was quickly resolved with minimal disruption to the school day. Because this may involve disciplinary consequences, I cannot offer further information.

We lifted the Hold designation at 8:55 am and expect a normal remainder of the school day, including on-time dismissal. The safety and security of all LCPS students and employees is our highest priority, and we appreciate parents' cooperation when these unexpected events occur.

Signature.

Honestly, getting this kind of email is more frustrating than not getting one at all. I didn't even receive this until almost 9:30 am that day and I didn't read it until nearly 10 am.

Why can't they say what type of alleged threat?

Because guess what? Every student in that school knew something happened. Why? Because kids did see the emergency responders present. And those in the upper grades had teachers who walked them through the lockdown protocol. A friend with a K student said her kid heard about there being firetrucks at school but the teacher and aide kept things as normal as usual for them.

My kid is a 5th grader and was 100% aware there was some kind of threat/issue at school. He said all anyone talked about that day was what happened that morning but no one knew anything. So basically, a learning day was wasted because the kids couldn't focus on anything else because they too were worried and wanted to know what happened.

And my kid had questions when he got home - questions that I couldn't answer. He wanted to know what kind of threat. He wanted to know if he was safe or safe-safe that day (safe-safe meaning it was a fake threat he said?). He wanted to know why his teacher wouldn't let any students get their phones from their backpacks. He was upset that if it was "a big thing, like a big shooting, you know, I couldn't text you bye and love you one last time, mom." Ack, that broke my heart and his little voice cracked when he said it. And again, I was at a loss because I had no info!! I did my best to comfort him and reassure him, but he's a smart kid. He understands what lockdowns mean.

He's been very clingy since Monday and rightly so. He's not resisted going to school but he's definitely lingered until the last minute before going to the bus stop whereas before he always went early to chat with friends. Students are allowed to have their phones at lunch and each day at lunch he's texted me "ilu mom" which he never did before. His teacher didn't allow them to get phones at lunch on Monday, probably to try to reel things in and get focused. But he's been very focused, and honestly upset, that his teacher restricted phones. DH said DS spoke with him about getting an Apple watch so he could text from it if something happened since his phone has to remain in his backpack. He told DH it could be his bday and Christmas gifts for 2023. Again...my heart breaks!!!!

I emailed the principal and the response I got back was scripted and canned. No details blah blah blah disciplinary action blah.

I admit - I sent a terse response back. I let her know that the lack of information is more troubling for some kids because it leaves them wondering and creating scenarios in their heads. I basically told it's possible to give more information without giving specifics. For example, you can say "it was a bomb threat via found note" or "it was a verbal threat by a student to use a firearm" or "it was a student having a sensory overload". Those all give more details without giving DETAILS.

Rant over. I had coffee with two friends this morning who have kids in 4th and 5th grade and their kids are also having issues dealing with it, so that was good to find out DS isn't alone in struggling.

1.) The event was ongoing until the hold was lifted at 8:55 am. You, the parent, were notified, by 9:30 AM. I'd say that was very timely notice.

2.) The school isn't going to say exactly what happened because they don't want to encourage any copycatters.

Educator here. That's not how our school district communicates. An alert goes out to all parents, and it's often communicated by news media--radio and tv. Finding out after the incident has ended is not ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does a 5th grader have a phone? Why is a 5th grader bringing a phone to school? That is just making it worse and giving a false sense of security and then becomes a fixation to manage anxious feelings and it's a crutch. Kids like this need to sit in the discomfort of not knowing or being uncertain and learn they can have that feeling and be ok and manage it. If your child works with a therapist, this is the actual work they will do with them.

I have a child who has anxiety and this sounds like anxiety if it's going on much past a couple days following the event.

If your child is having ongoing struggles, please get him help to manage the feelings. They are very, very real.

Every kid in my DD's 3rd grade has a phone except her. We are going to gift her my old phone for her bday in a few weeks. We have an older kid who didn't get a phone until middle school, but younger DD is already suffering the consequences of not having a phone. Classmates and friends are making plans via the phone and excluding her since she doesn't have one. Not to be malicious but because they forget about her.

My therapist taught me that social health is an important part of mental health. Being socially excluded affects mental health. It's unfortunate that it starts so young, but that's the world we live in.

3rd grade? This is not typical! No child in my third grader’s class has a phone and they certainly wouldn’t be savvy enough to make their own social plans and schedules.

Same with a third grader. This is bonkers or a lie. Not at all normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does a 5th grader have a phone? Why is a 5th grader bringing a phone to school? That is just making it worse and giving a false sense of security and then becomes a fixation to manage anxious feelings and it's a crutch. Kids like this need to sit in the discomfort of not knowing or being uncertain and learn they can have that feeling and be ok and manage it. If your child works with a therapist, this is the actual work they will do with them.

I have a child who has anxiety and this sounds like anxiety if it's going on much past a couple days following the event.

If your child is having ongoing struggles, please get him help to manage the feelings. They are very, very real.

Every kid in my DD's 3rd grade has a phone except her. We are going to gift her my old phone for her bday in a few weeks. We have an older kid who didn't get a phone until middle school, but younger DD is already suffering the consequences of not having a phone. Classmates and friends are making plans via the phone and excluding her since she doesn't have one. Not to be malicious but because they forget about her.

My therapist taught me that social health is an important part of mental health. Being socially excluded affects mental health. It's unfortunate that it starts so young, but that's the world we live in.

3rd grade? This is not typical! No child in my third grader’s class has a phone and they certainly wouldn’t be savvy enough to make their own social plans and schedules.

that's crazy. 3rd grade is so young.

I did not give my DD a phone until 7th when she entered MS. It did not impact her social life in any way. I cannot imagine giving my 3rd grader a phone. She is not responsible enough to make her own plans anyway. My 7th grader, however, can very well make plans for herself and walk out the door to meet friends.

I have seen some of the younger kids with phones. You never see the whites of their eyes, poor things.

[Anonymous]

A hold is nothing OP. It is usually just teachers being told to not switch classes or let kids in the hall for a short time. At my school it’s only used if a kid is having an emotional response /outburst in the hall and they need to deescalate or if there’s some medical event like an allergic reaction or asthma attack and they need to keep the halls clear for EMS to get in and out. There’s no actual threat in these situations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A hold is nothing OP. It is usually just teachers being told to not switch classes or let kids in the hall for a short time. At my school it’s only used if a kid is having an emotional response /outburst in the hall and they need to deescalate or if there’s some medical event like an allergic reaction or asthma attack and they need to keep the halls clear for EMS to get in and out. There’s no actual threat in these situations.

I don’t know about this situation but over the years as a teacher I’ve seen them used for medical emergencies or even to break up a fight and they don’t want others in the hallway. It’s different than a lockdown even though some use them interchangeably. They can’t provide details since it could be private medical information or personal discipline, like in the fight situation.