Got this sent home with the kids last week.
"...I would like to explain the situation with the Active Shooter exercise held in the old primary school yesterday."
Let me clarify, the old unused school is just a few feet away from the new (but still old) primary school building that is being used. They share the same parking lot. As I was dropping Emma off to the kindergarten line I was crossing the parking lot and heard fire. I thought we were under attack. I stopped, looked around. Grabbed the kids. Wondered if I should run or duck or call 911 or what. But everyone seemed calm. And I figured since I was new to base, and no one was running in fear, it must be an exercise or something. But it was unnerving. (Jackson kept saying, "what's that mamma?what's that?") Especially, in light of Fort Hood last year.
back to the letter.
"we received some concerned calls from parents who were upset that we had not informed them of the exercise. Just to be clear to everyone, the exercise did not take place in our building. And no on was informed, because I was directed not to inform parents. The integrity of the exercise was important and since there was no threat to our students, this direction was followed. If you have concerns, please contact base leadership."
Just my 2 cents, but I think it is pretty scary for kids that have had parents deployed in combat. Which is a huge percentage of our base. And thus, the location of the exercise is insensitive. And second. I think I should kick up my reaction skills. I guess I would know how I would behave if under fire.
