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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=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.

[quote]Dear School Families,

This is Principal. I wanted to let you know something unusual happened at school today. Our building briefly went into [i]Hold[/i] 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. [b]Because this may involve disciplinary consequences, I cannot offer further information.[/b]

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. [/quote]

Honestly, getting this kind of email is more frustrating than not getting one at all. [b]I didn't even receive this until almost 9:30 am[/b] 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.   
[/quote]

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.

[/quote]

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