Anonymous
09/13/2019 14:19
Subject: Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Anonymous wrote:We got this on 9/4/19 (i.e., the day before the first drill):
Every school facility in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has in place crisis management and emergency preparedness plans, designed with the help of the school system’s security planning staff, local law enforcement, and emergency management officials. The plans include procedures to respond to critical incidents, like fire and tornadoes, and we practice these drills regularly. Currently, we participate in a fire drill once a week within the first twenty instructional days of the new school year and once a month thereafter. We also participate in a tornado drill in March. Additionally, all Fairfax County Public Schools participate in a drill, called a lockdown drill.
While we have no reason to believe that any threat of violence will arise, it is always best to be prepared. It is important to train students and staff members so that we can effectively implement a lockdown in the event one becomes necessary. Training helps ensure a calmer, more effective lockdown.
To implement this training, [School] will conduct 2 lockdown drills in September. The drills will occur on Thursday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 18. A lockdown drill is generally short, typically lasting no longer than a fire drill.
OP here -- that was exactly what I would have liked to have received. It is helpful for me to know that other schools in the district did this, thanks.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 14:06
Subject: Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Just got an email from Kenmore middle school that they had one today.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 13:57
Subject: Re:Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I tell my kids what the lockdown drill is for, and I tell them to loudly say "Republicans don't care if we get shot in school!" So you might have to explain that one when your kids get home. Since the adults won't help them, I am teaching my kids to advocate for their generation themselves.
Yeah, smart move. So you are pretty much ensuring that your own child will PANIC during an emergency. Awesome parenting
HA, they're not panicking. Funny that it makes you uncomfortable though.
If you are seriously having conversations like that with your 2nd grader that is truly sad and age inappropriate.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 13:26
Subject: Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
We got this on 9/4/19 (i.e., the day before the first drill):
Every school facility in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has in place crisis management and emergency preparedness plans, designed with the help of the school system’s security planning staff, local law enforcement, and emergency management officials. The plans include procedures to respond to critical incidents, like fire and tornadoes, and we practice these drills regularly. Currently, we participate in a fire drill once a week within the first twenty instructional days of the new school year and once a month thereafter. We also participate in a tornado drill in March. Additionally, all Fairfax County Public Schools participate in a drill, called a lockdown drill.
While we have no reason to believe that any threat of violence will arise, it is always best to be prepared. It is important to train students and staff members so that we can effectively implement a lockdown in the event one becomes necessary. Training helps ensure a calmer, more effective lockdown.
To implement this training, [School] will conduct 2 lockdown drills in September. The drills will occur on Thursday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 18. A lockdown drill is generally short, typically lasting no longer than a fire drill.
Every school facility in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has in place crisis management and emergency preparedness plans, designed with the help of the school system’s security planning staff, local law enforcement, and emergency management officials. The plans include procedures to respond to critical incidents, like fire and tornadoes, and we practice these drills regularly. Currently, we participate in a fire drill once a week within the first twenty instructional days of the new school year and once a month thereafter. We also participate in a tornado drill in March. Additionally, all Fairfax County Public Schools participate in a drill, called a lockdown drill.
While we have no reason to believe that any threat of violence will arise, it is always best to be prepared. It is important to train students and staff members so that we can effectively implement a lockdown in the event one becomes necessary. Training helps ensure a calmer, more effective lockdown.
To implement this training, [School] will conduct 2 lockdown drills in September. The drills will occur on Thursday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 18. A lockdown drill is generally short, typically lasting no longer than a fire drill.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 12:35
Subject: Re:Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I tell my kids what the lockdown drill is for, and I tell them to loudly say "Republicans don't care if we get shot in school!" So you might have to explain that one when your kids get home. Since the adults won't help them, I am teaching my kids to advocate for their generation themselves.
Yeah, smart move. So you are pretty much ensuring that your own child will PANIC during an emergency. Awesome parenting
HA, they're not panicking. Funny that it makes you uncomfortable though.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 12:34
Subject: Re:Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Anonymous wrote:Earth quake drills? Interesting. I had those in California but I would not expect them here. I mean, we had the one a while back.
They're recommended, not required. We've never had them in my FCPS school.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 12:31
Subject: Re:Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Anonymous wrote:I tell my kids what the lockdown drill is for, and I tell them to loudly say "Republicans don't care if we get shot in school!" So you might have to explain that one when your kids get home. Since the adults won't help them, I am teaching my kids to advocate for their generation themselves.
Yeah, smart move. So you are pretty much ensuring that your own child will PANIC during an emergency. Awesome parenting
Anonymous
09/13/2019 12:30
Subject: Re:Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Anonymous wrote:I tell my kids what the lockdown drill is for, and I tell them to loudly say "Republicans don't care if we get shot in school!" So you might have to explain that one when your kids get home. Since the adults won't help them, I am teaching my kids to advocate for their generation themselves.
No, that's not what you're doing.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 12:29
Subject: Re:Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
I tell my kids what the lockdown drill is for, and I tell them to loudly say "Republicans don't care if we get shot in school!" So you might have to explain that one when your kids get home. Since the adults won't help them, I am teaching my kids to advocate for their generation themselves.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 12:24
Subject: Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Yes we got a notice after it happened (around 4pm the day of). I was glad to know, mainly so I could gauge what my kid had heard. She filed it away as just another drill and barely gave it a second thought. I have way more anxiety at this point than she does. But her learning about active shooters is definitely on my list of parental fears. She's in K, so also a bit more insulated from the older kids which I think helps.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 12:20
Subject: Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
following
Anonymous
09/13/2019 12:19
Subject: Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
These lockdown drills happen at all the schools just like fire drills happen at the school.
They don't overtly talk about guns, shooting or bombs and infernos for that matter. It's more about falling instructions, knowing what to do if they get separated during a drill (Mrs. Smith's class meets over by that tree).
If there was talk about guns, shootings, bad guys, bombs, etc then it most likely came from the other kids.
They don't overtly talk about guns, shooting or bombs and infernos for that matter. It's more about falling instructions, knowing what to do if they get separated during a drill (Mrs. Smith's class meets over by that tree).
If there was talk about guns, shootings, bad guys, bombs, etc then it most likely came from the other kids.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 12:14
Subject: Re:Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Earth quake drills? Interesting. I had those in California but I would not expect them here. I mean, we had the one a while back.
Anonymous
09/13/2019 11:35
Subject: Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
We receive notification that day, not earlier. Apparently they are required to happen 4 times a year, while fire drills are required monthly. Also one earthquake drill and one tornado drill.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/sites/dcjs.virginia.gov/files/publications/law-enforcement/virginia-educators-drill-guide_0.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjB-87wjs7kAhWCnFkKHZHXAhYQFjABegQIDhAG&usg=AOvVaw0gGSnrDb62_SnaVTwtj7mk
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/sites/dcjs.virginia.gov/files/publications/law-enforcement/virginia-educators-drill-guide_0.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjB-87wjs7kAhWCnFkKHZHXAhYQFjABegQIDhAG&usg=AOvVaw0gGSnrDb62_SnaVTwtj7mk
Anonymous
09/13/2019 11:25
Subject: Did you Receive Notification of Lockdown Drills?
Our FCPS elementary school had its first lockdown drill of the year last week. My first-grader came home freaked out, talking on about "people with guns" and asking if they came to schools in Virginia. Since I had no idea the drill was that day, I wasn't well prepared to address her questions.
Later on, I did contact the teacher who was able to explain to me the language they used to discuss it with the children, which I borrowed in further discussions with my child. But I'm sort of annoyed the school didn't at least tell us they were doing this and share some tips about talking about it with small children. My friends (including teachers) in other states have told me their schools always notify parents ahead of time, because it's scary for young kids. FCPS constantly is sending home "warnings" about the family life lessons our kids will get each year, which I couldn't care less about, but then they just leave us in the dark about discussions over gun violence. Am I totally off-base here? Did any of you receive news prior to the first lockdown drill?
Later on, I did contact the teacher who was able to explain to me the language they used to discuss it with the children, which I borrowed in further discussions with my child. But I'm sort of annoyed the school didn't at least tell us they were doing this and share some tips about talking about it with small children. My friends (including teachers) in other states have told me their schools always notify parents ahead of time, because it's scary for young kids. FCPS constantly is sending home "warnings" about the family life lessons our kids will get each year, which I couldn't care less about, but then they just leave us in the dark about discussions over gun violence. Am I totally off-base here? Did any of you receive news prior to the first lockdown drill?