Summary

A parent describes the fear and uncertainty of a school shooting threat at their child's school, detailing the increased police presence, the child's awareness of danger, and the emotional impact of the event.

Abstract

The article recounts a harrowing day where a parent, after dropping their daughters off at school, learns of a gunman's threat to shoot up the oldest daughter's school. The morning's unusual police activity sets a tense scene, and the parent's concern grows upon receiving a picture confirming the threat. The daughter's awareness and planning for potential escape routes highlight the gravity of the situation. Despite the fear and uncertainty, the school faculty and first responders are commended for their swift response and preparedness. The parent expresses gratitude that the threat was neutralized and reflects on the fragility of life, urging others to cherish their children and speak up if they see something suspicious.

Opinions

The parent expresses deep concern for their child's safety in the face of a school shooting threat.
There is an appreciation for the teachers and staff who are trained to handle such emergencies and provide comfort to students.
The student's proactive approach to safety by devising an exit strategy for each class is noted with a mix of alarm and admiration.
The parent acknowledges the effectiveness of the #SeeSomethingSaySomething campaign and the importance of community vigilance.
Gratitude is expressed for the safe resolution of the threat and the return of the child to the safety of home.
The parent emphasizes the unpredictable nature of such events and the need for parents to hold their children close, as everything can change in an instant.

Today there will be a Shooting at Your School

#SeeSomethingSaySomething

They saw it on the news Children sent out to school To get a brighter future Sent back Dead ― Bellatuscana, Pavo

This morning I dropped my daughters off, each at her respective school. We all notice an increased police presence. There were officers at every street corner and this is no exaggeration.

We were on the early side of dropoff time and were unaware of the events that had transpired overnight.

Overnight, a gunman promised to shoot up my oldest daughter’s school, but, we didn’t know it, yet.

We all noted the officers in blue, standing like statues, making their presence known.

Something is different today.

Before my oldest got out of the car she asked me, “Mama, should I go to school today? It looks like something’s going down.”

Within 20 minutes of dropping her off, my cell began buzzing obnoxiously.

This isn’t normal, but nothing this morning has been “normal”.

Then this picture arrived.

The social media post that broke overnight mentioned her school and the name of the kind of testing taking place today. There is no denying this thread pertains to this school.

Her question as she got out of the car immediately came to mind.

Oh, my God! She’s right. Something is going down. What if today is her day to die?

She began texting me her exit strategy to leave every class in case she saw a gunman.

In first period, I have a terrace for escape…

But, first period wasn’t in the normal room because so many kids didn’t come to school today. Her first-period teacher did not show up and her normal class was shuffled to combine with another one.

The game changer for my daughter was that there were no windows and no escape, except one door. All her exit planning strategy went right out the window, but there wasn’t one present in her classroom.

School shootings are things that happen at other schools. They are horrific and the gunmen become famous. Except, this school shooting is a real-life incident at my daughter’s school today.

I am reminded of renee tarantowski, Marilyn Yung, and teachers like them who go through school lockdown training drills at the beginning of each school year.

I am grateful for the skills of every teacher who went through those drills to help scared kids like my daughter, in case of a real emergency.

I heard the fear in my daughter’s voice as she sneaked a phone call to me. She hung up without saying good-bye because she didn’t know if there was a gunman around the corner.

I grabbed my keys and wondered if it was the last time I would hear her voice. I was on a mission to get her out of school. As I approached the school I wondered if I would be one of those parents you see on the news standing on the school sidewalk in the aftermath of a school shooting. Was my little girl was hurt, hiding, or dead?

The kid who received the Snapchat deserves accommodation. He saw something and he said something. The school faculty, the Principal, and the first responders are also to be commended for their response.

Hug and kiss your kids every day before they leave for school. We second guess our parenting and are filled with guilt.

We think we’re invincible, but we’re not. If a gunman walks into your child’s school everything can change in a moment.

You just never know...

Thank God, it didn’t happen today, but we lived the drill believing it was all a real-life response. My oldest is at home safe, and I wonder about the kids still at school. The day isn’t over yet. And, my youngest is at school 900 feet from my oldest’s school.

I can’t wait to pick her up and love on her.

Today everything could have been different.

I am grateful.

If you #SeeSomethingSaySomething.

See day 2 events here.