Moms Talk: First Lesson in School Lockdowns

Last Wednesday began as a typical work day.  I was sipping my coffee and responding to work emails when I heard my cell phone buzz.  After a few minutes, I grabbed my phone and noticed that my daughter sent me a text. I assumed she had left something at home and needed me to run it to her school, but that was not the case.

I could not believe what I was reading: “Police cars are all over the neighborhood and by the school. We are under lockout!”

My daughter is an eighth grader at Seminole Middle School.  I immediately tried to reach the school’s front office, but all the lines were busy. It was because  of all the frantic parents calling to get more information on the lockout.

I soon learned via the police department that Seminole High, Seminole Middle, and Bauder Elementary were all placed under “lockout,” while a search was underway for two juvenile burglary suspects last seen in the surrounding blocks of my neighborhood. One suspect reportedly had a gun.

I was horrified thinking about what could have happened if it were my home that was broken into while my daughter was still there or if she was assaulted  by the suspects on her way to school. I was instantly relieved knowing that she was at school in the safety of teachers and administrators.

Many parents, students and school personnel experienced a bit of excitement as the events unfolded during the lockout. While school employees do have a protocol to follow for such an incident, this situation was a little off script since the lockout happened as students were in process of arriving at the school before it was in session.

Jessica Hernandez of Seminole had a sixth grader and an eighth grader at Seminole Middle and a thrid grader at Bauder Elementary the day of the lockout. 

“I truly felt better knowing that my kids were at school rather than at home. I feel that the schools take these situations very seriously and have our children’s safety as their first priority,” Hernandez said.

In Pinellas and other local counties there have been several lockdowns and lockouts in the last few years. This past February, Dixie Hollins High Schoolin St. Petersburg was placed on lockdown and Blanton Elementary on lockout after a reported shooting incident in the area.  In the same month, Booker High School in Sarasota was under lockdown, while police searched for a home invasion suspect.

Andrea Zahn, Director of Communications for Pinellas County Schools, explained that the initiation of securing a school via a lockdown or lockout results from a call or visit from local law enforcement, notification to a school officer, or by the direction of a school principal. 

Zahn said, “Both are precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students and staff on campus. Many times it occurs when an incident has happened in the vicinity of the school and law enforcement officials are in pursuit of a suspect.”

During a lockdown, all school activities cease and staff/students seek safety in a locked room until notified by law enforcement. No one leaves or enters the building until the lockdown is lifted.

During a lockout, a school resumes normal activities within the confines of the building and only authorized personnel are permitted to enter the school. Depending on the circumstance, students may be required to remain at the school longer than the normal school hours.

Because schools vary in size and layout, campuses may have slightly different procedures. 

Here's what Zhan said about understanding the concerns parents have for their children during a lockdown/lockout situation:

"Parents should know that the primary focus of the administrators during a lockdown or lockout is to secure the campus and maintain a safe environment. During a lockdown or lockout, no unauthorized persons are allowed into the building.  Therefore, for their own safety and to help maintain the safety of staff and students on campus, parents should refrain from coming to campus. Unless directed to do so by the school.  At the earliest opportunity, parents will be notified, usually through an automated phone call. Parents can be reassured that the administration is taking measures to keep students safe. Depending on the situation, there may be times when additional measures (temporary evacuation, etc.) are taken while law enforcement officials conduct a campus search."

Most schools have tight regulations and protocols in place to handle emergency security situations.  Being patient and allowing school officials to communicate status is important so that information can flow to parents in a timely manner. Last week, I felt confident that my daughter was secure and protected during the lockout, giving us both assurance during the event. 

For more information about lockdown/lockout school procedures in Pinellas County, contact the Pinellas County School Board.