A few months ago my school had a lockdown that was announced over the school intercom as “Lockdown! This is not a drill…. intruder with gun on campus.” Immediately without a second thought we went into lockdown mode- my students dropped under their desks, I ran to lock doors, close blinds, and turn off lights. It was completely silent. My students were terrified. Some began to cry and whimper. I crawled around the floor, checking on them, reassuring them, promising them that I would keep them safe and they would be okay. However, at that moment, I did not know if that was even true, but I knew that I would do anything in my power to protect them and keep them safe. That was my duty that I owed to them and their parents. They also have become my children, not just my students and I would do anything for them. For twenty long minutes we huddled on the ground, not knowing what was going on around us. After that long painful period of time, the district security came into the classroom and told us all was clear. We came to find out later that there was an unknown person who came onto campus but there was no gun. For those excruciating twenty minutes of an unknown future, my heart felt like it had stopped and my life had flashed before me.
Now fast forward to last week in Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It was not a false alarm. It was real and 17 people lost their lives…. 14 of them children. Children who were the same age as my own children. How do I make my children feel safe as I send them off to school? How do I reassure them that everything will be okay?
Today a student at my daughter’s high school was arrested for making threats. My daughter came home scared, worried and unsafe. She does not want to go to school. How do I reassure her? It angers me,as a parent, that we need to worry about this! It angers me , as a teacher, that we need to worry about this! School should be a safe place for all students! With all the uncertainty and conflict in the world, we can not even promise our children that they will be safe when they enter school.
So the only thing I can tell my daughter is be kind! Be a friend! If you see someone who needs encouragement, friendship or just a kind word, then be that person who can make a difference. Will this change things? Will it solve this serious problem? NO…. but the world definitely needs kindness and love right now. We may be able to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling or are fighting a battle that we know nothing about. We have the ability to make someone else feel like somebody by our kindness, compassion and empathy.
That is all I can tell my daughter. BE KIND! Spread kindness! I cannot assure her that she will be safe and as a parent, I should be able to do that! But I can send her off everyday with the reminder to be kind and be a blessing! Then I can hope and pray that someone is doing the same for her and that she is safe!