Protecting My Class From a School Shooting

Teacher, counselor, parent, and policeman to 30 scared kids

At 7:03 a.m. as I sipped coffee and prepared for the first-period bell to ring at my middle school, our concerned principal’s firm voice came over the intercom in a serious tone.

“Students and faculty, this is an official lockdown. This is not a drill. Please report to your first-period class or the closest possible classroom immediately.”

It wasn’t mass hysteria. However, panic was felt throughout the entire 1,200-populated campus. Some students sprinted to class, while others were oblivious to the severity of the principal’s message.

There were lots of confused, concerned, and even terrified looks on arriving students’ faces as they entered my English classroom for the most unusual and uncertain school day ever.

No one knew anything.

Yet.

Security, coaches, and administration were running around directing student traffic, assuring that students were being diligent in getting to the first available classroom as soon as possible.

Concerned faces

Kids walked in with their cell phones on, checking for information, and texting parents and friends for information, trying to find out what on earth was happing at our middle school.

Rumors — that were correct — were flying that there was a shooting at Highland High School, which was one short block from our campus.

Fear was felt by everyone. Myself include.

My first objective was to set the students at ease. I had to remain calm, confident, and have a comforting, but protective policeman-like composure.

Students had to feel they were safe in my classroom.

“Guys, let’s all remain calm. I don’t know anything yet, but when I do, you’ll be the first to know,” I assured the students, a few almost ready to cry. “I promise. I will protect you to the best of my ability.

“Let’s assume the worst and be smart, but let’s also have an optimistic view that it’s something not as severe. And, unlike a regular school day — please feel free to use your cell phones all you want to find the correct information and to be in direct communication with your parents.

Different reactions

Some kids were crying and hugging other classmates.

Some were frantically texting their parents.

Others were talking in small groups.

Some drew on my whiteboards.

A few were even laughing

Dings, bings, and rings

My phone was blowing up with texts from fellow teachers about the information they had heard about the shooting, emails were coming in nonstop, and my phone was ringing off the hook.

Although all the kids were safe and secure in all the classrooms, it was still chaotic.

Then the questions from the students started to fly.

What happened?

Is there an active shooter on our campus?

I heard there was a shooting over at Highland High School?

News update on the shooting

Yes, there was a shooting at Highland High School.

It occurred during the high school’s zero period. A 14-year-old former student fired off “around ten rounds” in an open quad area. Only one student suffered injuries, having been shot in the arm, but was in stable condition.

Of course, my students weren’t aware of any of this — at first.

It came out in pieces.

My first feeling was still fear. Fear that this active shooter would run over from Highland to our close campus. I was in charge of and the protector of the lives of 30-something12-year-olds.

Though I didn’t tote it around or flaunt it, I had a wooden baseball bat by my desk ready to be used if needed, the first time that thought had crossed my mind in 32 years of teaching.

Communication the key

Emails stressed we had to take roll immediately and let the office know who was absent, and what kids were being housed by another teacher — students who had popped into the closest room for safety precautions.

Finally, around 7:35 a.m. the first update came in via email.

There was a shooting a Highland High School.

That was it. The fear remained that the active shooter would flee to our neighboring school. In fact, some of the high-school students heard of the zero-period gunshots and fled to our school for safety.

I let the students know there was a shooting at Highland, and that’s all I knew.

Many already knew from their parents or Googling the incident.

Keeping kids calm

I had Toy Story playing for kids that needed an escape but also allowed them to talk in small groups, listen to music, play on their phones, or text family members at all times.

Most importantly, I needed them to remain calm.

I found myself constantly peeking out the window, but the campus was like a ghost town.

I kept Google searching updates and learned about one kid being shot and the suspect fleeing campus, but no one knew in what directions he ran.

Being a counselor

“Mr. Butler, I’m scared,” said Pauline, who was crying along with her friend Caroline.

“That’s very natural. I am, too. It’s a scary situation, “I told her. “The doors are locked and windows concealed. I have my bat. And I will do everything in my power to protect you. Have you texted your mom and dad?”

“Yes, she said the school can’t release anyone, but to talk to your teacher.”

“Sometimes a color sheeting can be calming,” and I handed them a sheet.

A group of six other girls was huddled in a circle by a corner.

“You, ok, girls?” I asked.

“We don’t want to die, Mr. Butler, ” one girl asked, a tear running down her cheek.

“I understand. Let’s stay positive. The police were called the minute the shots were fired. I’m sure they will capture the shooter.

Suspect detained

Fellow teachers were constantly texting in three different group chats and individually giving updates of what they heard, and around 8:40 a.m. one text said the suspect was caught at an area Von’s Supermarket four blocks away.

I checked with a news website that confirmed the suspect was taken into custody when the suspect’s parents called and told the police where their son was.

Apparently, he had run away recently.

I made the announcements to my class at 8:45 p.m. about the arrest and a gigantic sigh of relief was felt throughout the classroom.

The mood changed instantly. Kids clapped and smiles reappeared on previously sad faces.

I actually played the “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats on YouTube to lighten the mood.

And then a new round of questions was fired.

How long do we have to be in here?

What period are we going to next?

Are we getting out of school early?

My mom said she is here to pick me up?

When’s lunch?

Still locked down

Although the suspect was in custody, the lockdown was still on.

An email was sent informing teachers that we were still to hold kids. There was a rumor regarding a threat of another shooting at an area elementary school, and school officials were also scared of a potential copycat shooting.

As a jovial, spirited atmosphere returned to the classroom, the rejuvenated, happy students were enjoying their less-structured, fun environment and the weirdness of this unique day.

Lunch was normally slated for 10:47 a.m., but because of the lockdown was delayed until 11:10 a.m.

And yes the students were antsy. Cabin fever was in full force, as students were overly restless from being cooped up in a small classroom for three and a half hours. They were driving my cuckoo as well.

So long, fair well

I excitedly dismissed them at 10:46 a.m., sixty seconds early.

Most dashed for the door like uncaged animals.

Pauline, however, approached me quietly and calmly after class.

“Thanks for keeping out safe, Mr. Butler,” she said. “I really felt protected.”

That should be the end of the story.

It’s not.

Perturbed Parents

Unruly parents were waiting impatiently outside the school in a line that resembled the newest attraction at Disneyland or Magic Mountain.

Many had been waiting at the school site — impatiently — since 7:20 a.m.

They wanted their students. And they wanted them now. The term “school shooting” a block away at Highland along with the rumors of the potential of another rumored shooting at a local elementary school had many in high hysterics.

The administration, office staff, and campus security tried to keep things orderly, but some just didn’t understand the proper student-release protocol and resorted to foul language, threats, and become more than a little bit agitated.

Meanwhile, students were told to report after lunch to their fifth-period classes.

Every two minutes, my classroom phone would ring and a sierra, or noon duty, would come and escort a student to the office to be picked up by a parent.

By period’s end, I had thirteen kids left in my class.

For my last period of the day, there were only nine kids.

All, however, had smiles on their faces and — although a little noisy — were happy to be in a safe, protected environment with classic rock playing to keep their teacher sane.

Takeaways

School shootings — even when only a block away — have to be one of the most horrific, traumatic, and terrifying things in our society.

Our school had been informed numerous times at staff meetings of the protocol, trained by required videos, and had several practice lockdown drills, but nothing can truly prepare you for the real thing.

It wasn’t perfectly executed by any means, but one thing that did run smoothly and consistently was the courageous and caring group of teachers, staff, and administration that rose to the occasion to provide the students with a safe and secure environment that was panic-free.

Whether the 300-plus mob of concerned parents outside the campus felt the same comfort is another story.

Thanks for reading my story.

Susan Wheelock, Jane Kelley, Lu Skerdoo, Alison Levine, Ruby Lee, Deborah Camp, Gerald Sturgill, Sreese, PJ Kaplan, The Sober Vegan Yogi, Scot Butwell, MarkfromBoston 🌻Ukraine, Evon, Klara Jane Holloway.

Like Mike? You can read stories and earn money by joining Medium for $5 a month. If you use my link I receive a small commission.