Three teachers died in the Parkland massacre because when a shooter enters a school, the first line of defense, the people we ask to sacrifice themselves if necessary to protect our children, are teachers. Julie Z. Lee has this Perspective.
Today I asked my son about the lockdown drill scheduled at his school. I had seen it in the newsletter, and my heart was heavy that my children must prepare for what is beginning to feel inevitable.
My son said it’s nothing new. They’ve had them before. I was surprised — was it routine? Of course, it was.
First, he said, an alarm goes off, and a voice on the loudspeaker announces the drill. Everyone gathers in a corner, while his teacher locks both classroom doors and closes the curtains.
“Then,” he said, “Mr. K. stands in front of us until it’s over.”