That was how our school handled 9/11 too. They kept radios and tvs off and just went on with a normal day(as normal as they could anyway). Because of my work location, we went on shutdown that day. I went to the school and supervised recess and helped in the office and classrooms. I couldn't bear to go home, I just wanted to be where the kids were, but I told them nothing until we got home and then I didn't let them see any tv. I figured I had to tell them what happened because they were going to hear things and because I wasn't sure what was going to happen at work.
We also had a lockdown situation a couple of weeks ago. I just happened to be in the school when it occurred(it was morning just as kids were starting to arrive). The office staff asked if I would get the bus kids into the building while the principal informed the staff. I had a parent/friend call me at work after she dropped her daughter off. She said, "So what's going on at the school? I know you know." They did a great job of keeping the kids "in the dark" with the exception of a few rumor type things. I didn't hear about any parents being upset. They basically told me they had received a call about a distressed parent and were taking precautions. That was all I needed to know-I didn't care about who. Your school could have at least told you that much.
what admin shares with kids is one thing, what they share with adults, is another. especially if you are there asking questions.
scott mom is right to be stressed out about it.
I can't imagine why they'd lie to you, unless they were worried about starting a panic. But they still took away your right to decide what's best for your own kids so I'd be mad too!
That said, though, their intentions may have been for the best:
The day of the 9/11 tragedies, I went up to check on my son. The super saw I was very upset and took me into his office to talk. He said that while the adults were on hyper-alert, they didn't go into lockdown procedures or discuss anything in front of the students. He explained that students feel safest when they're in their normal routine and that the slightest deviation is picked up on and begins to stress the children. So, while things may look normal on the surface, I always trusted the admin to know about and keep an eye on things.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
Luv, we don't ever watch national news in our house and sometimes shut off the local when they start discussing world news. I swear there was a time when showing real dead bodies and critically injured on tv was not done.
Speaking of our crazy world, today there was a police standoff about 2 blocks from our school. When I went into the school to make sure everything was ok, they said it was over and there was nothing to worry about. Come to find out it wasn't over until about noon. I know we have an officer's wife at our school and I know she and the rest of the admin know what's going on. Why would they tell me not to worry about it? I'm am extremely frustrated right now. Definately getting to the point where I want to take my time at home and use it to home school my kids. We have huge resources for it around here and I'm thinking I might start looking. Really stressed out right now.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
I know what you mean CC. I want to know what's going on in the world, but sometimes it's just too much. I see all this violence in school's these past couple weeks and it makes me sick. I don't even turn on the national news if the kids are in the room. They really don't need to see dead bodies in the streets of Baghdad or children weeping in their parents arms because some nut case came into their school and killed their classmates. The television stations just seem to look for the video with the most shock value.
Shawn, you're too much fun! Why can't all dads be like you? Case in Point:
Breaking News - A school district just up the road from me (Owens Crossroads) went on lockdown this morning. Apparently, a dad is banned from the school for previously threatening the principal. A tip that the parent was on his way to the school sent all of the schools into their lockdown procedures. They're open now but many parents still went up to get their kids and take them home for the rest of the day.
What is the matter with some people? Why would anyone carry a personal grudge so far that an entire community would feel threatened?
Oh Dear God, now they're showing a house in Salem, Idaho that is literally infested with snakes. It's so bad the family has to move out. Disgusting..... Now I'm going to be on the lookout all day for snakes - and I'm nowhere near Idaho.
This is why I hate to watch the news. I like to keep myself informed but, man oh man, it's hard to take some days.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
