We got an email from the principal last night that there had been a threat made on social media about shooting up my son's elementary school today, which a parent saw and contacted the local police about. They investigated all through Saturday night and into Sunday, talking to several families and went through the social media, and said there was no evidence of anything being planned. This is what I knew, getting him up for school this morning.

I had a brief thought that I should keep him home today, and I realized that after today comes tomorrow, and that I couldn't keep him home forever. I talked to my wife, and we'd had the same thoughts. I drove him to school and as we got closer, I started to ask him if he knew what to do in case of an emergency. "What do you mean, Dad? What kind of emergency, and where?" I suddenly didn't even know what to tell him. Then, we were at school, and the local PD had an officer directing traffic into the drop-off line, his cruiser parked conspicuously at the entrance. I was glad to see him, and waved and gave a nod that he returned. He was actively looking at people as they drove in.

It was hard to let my son out of the truck. I prayed all the way home, and I know I'm not supposed to pray for things for myself, but I couldn't not ask that he be kept safe today. I know the chances of something happening are actually extremely low, but still, I had to take my son and leave him somewhere someone even had the thought to say they'd love to go shoot innocent kids and I'm bothered by it. I know this is all emotionally-fraught stuff, but when it's your child, I don't know how it can't be unless you don't care.

When the tranny shot up the school, we went ahead and had a talk with him about sexually confused people. Trans, gay, the whole shebang, with a kid who just turned nine. He looked like we force-fed him a live frog, just beyond uncomfortable and confused. I hated that we had to explain this stuff to him. I assured him that there was a right and a wrong, a natural order to things and that while gay people have more or less always existed as far as we know, that people having surgery to change their body parts to decide to switch their sex was a new thing in human history and that eventually, it would be viewed as a mistake. We also talked to him about school shootings, and I reviewed with him everything he should do in case it happened.

If you've read this far through my rambling mess, if you're going to comment, I'd like to ask a few things before you do. Let's just fully skip the whole "homeschool" thing and consider that a separate conversation, which I will be starting a thread about. If you want to use it as something to stick up my ass, I don't have the patience to respond with kindness to it today. This isn't about school shootings in general, so much as a request for guidance on a topic I feel ill-suited to address, so if you have pointers and such about measures you've taken with your kids, I welcome all input. I saw in another thread a member bought some lightweight IIIA panels for their kid's backpacks and I'm going to look into that today, since you know, timeliness is my forte and all. Forum LEO's are also more than welcome to chime in with absolutely anything. If your kids are grown and have their own and this is something you never had to deal with, I'd ask you not to pontificate, please.

Smudge I don’t have any words of wisdom but having raised two boys your thoughts ran through my head many times. Fortunately, nothing ever came of it and I pray the same outcome for your son.

Talking to your son in an age appropriate way is one of the best things you can do as a parent. Maybe this could be a yearly conversation with more information as he is able to digest it.

We now have a 2 year old granddaughter and I constantly think of what she may face when she enters school…maybe others can shed more insight on the matter.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
Talking to your son in an age appropriate way is one of the best things you can do as a parent. Maybe this could be a yearly conversation with more information as he is able to digest it.

Thanks. Yeah, I've tried to do that as best I can. The tranny conversation was simply "some people are really confused, and instead of trying to help them reason through that confusion, we've decided to celebrate it and do surgery on them and change them forever. They're trying to convince the world that it's the right thing to do. Most of these people are really unhappy and eventually kill themselves." Heavy shit to lay on a nine year old kid and I resented that I had to even have that kind of conversation with him. When he was five, we left a playground in Washington when he came up to me and said "Dad, that girl says she's a boy." I'd heard her loud protestations from the other end, because she made sure she shouted it loud enough that everyone could hear. She was obviously a girl, and it was easy to see who her family was because her, her brother, and her mother all had their hair dyed rainbow shades of unnatural colors. I smiled at my son and said "she's just really confused. Wanna get some ice cream?" Huge smile. "Yeah!" And so we left. Instantly shifting gears every time this has come up so far has worked, but it can't be avoided forever and I had to finally weigh in.

I've talked with him a few times about school shootings and what I believe about them. He understands it's a symptom of societal decay, and that we don't have a good solution because it just simply means that people in this society are so disconnected from each other, care so little that they will do this and they know the whole world will know their name. What I can actually give him in terms of tools to deal with such a situation at this age besides some body armor... I don't even know. And yes, I feel the utter stupidity of such a statement as I type it. That I have to consider such a thing.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
We now have a 2 year old granddaughter and I constantly think of what she may face when she enters school…maybe others can shed more insight on the matter.

I wish you the best. I wouldn't even know what to say, society is changing so fast and in ways I didn't think it would. We keep talking about trying for another before it's too late, but that window may have passed. Maybe it's a mercy, I don't know.

I know what you are talking about as I just had to make a hard decision about where to send my Son for Pre-K. I toured two Christian schools and I chose one over the other because one had a playground that in my head looked like an easy target. Granted, both schools are improving their security because of what happened in Nashville, but one school just felt safer.

My point is, I chose a school based on security rather than academics. That's a shame.

We need to eliminate gun free zones and allow lawful carry by teachers, administrators, and parents.

quote:

We now have a 2 year old granddaughter and I constantly think of what she may face when she enters school…maybe others can shed more insight on the matter.

We have a 3 year old granddaughter and an 8 month old Grandson, and this worries us as well, to be honest about it, the mind games and indoctrination at schools concerns me more than the potential of a shooting.

For a bit of perspective, there are over 64,000 elementary schools in the USA, the odds of a shooting are very very small as a percentage of total schools, school days and actual events.

Since his school just had this happen, perhaps it's time to find out what the districts plans are for the school how and what the teachers are to do, so that you can reinforce the actions that need to occur and how he should act.

Knowing the plan, reinforcing it, and making sure he's got it is his best defense.

Sorry to break the rules of having to have kids in school today, however, us grandparents have some of the same concerns....

There’s nothing wrong with praying for yourself. I pray for strength, guidance, patience, etc every day for example. I still have plenty of room in there to pray for other people as well.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Sorry to break the rules of having to have kids in school today, however, us grandparents have some of the same concerns....

I'm more looking to skip anything like "back in my day, we didn't have these problems" and wishing it was back in the 50's without any meaningful addition. You guys are fine and welcome, thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
There’s nothing wrong with praying for yourself. I pray for strength, guidance, patience, etc every day for example. I still have plenty of room in there to pray for other people as well.

Thank you.

I think you did great!

Talking to him about safety and what to do is the best possible thing that you can do for his safety in my opinion.

Being alert, and knowing what to do in an emergency of any kind will give him greater protection than anything else.

My two oldest are home schooled. Initially I felt the lack of social development would be a hindrance, but the more I see the current nature of the public school system, the more I think I may be choosing the lesser of two evils.

At my stepson's school a couple months back a student was discovered to have a loaded gun in their backpack. We never got word that an attack was planned but you're only a second away from that being a reality when guns are in school.

Like you I said, "well, if we keep him home one day, they likelihood doesn't decrease tomorrow so its gotta be an all in decision"

I rationalize it the same way I can't completely control a drunk driver hitting my car and harming my kids, or living in the Baltimore/DC area having my children be the innocent bystander in some stupid shooting. The % you apply to the possibility of a school shooting happening has to be the basis of your decision. .01%, 1%, 5%? That is what would make me pull the plug, cause again, you're right, it's all or nothing.

I hope this comes across without being insensitive to your situation, but if I felt armor plates in a backpack were warranted, I wouldn't be sending him to that school. In the aftermath of what we both hope never happens you would instantly say, "Why did I send him, I knew it could happen, I even bought plates!" So it all comes back to that % I put on it.

This happens every day at schools all around the nation.

Sometimes the words get said by a student who believes it is “funny”. Sometimes it is legitimate.

Regardless, your local LE has to treat them all the same. As if they are real. And quite frankly, ALL of them need to be viewed through the lens of “Zero Tolerance” and prosecuted as such. We can’t allow ourselves to view this through a political lens talking points.

The message needs to be simple. If there is evidence that you said the words, you get lodged. Message ends. And that message needs to come from a unified voice of parents, school staff and cops. We can’t afford to take a bit of this lightly.

I know the outrage club will probably roast me for the whole “zero tolerance” thing. Some may try to make this a cry of “red flag”. I’m talking about cases where probable cause exists that the threat was made. Probable cause is the same standard applied always. If they are in detention, we won’t find out that “nice kid” who was “only kidding” was serious and followed through.
Zero Tolerance for shooting threats, bomb threats, etc. we just have to have the resolve to follow through.

I’ve been to two of these things (and a third at a hotel). If solid investigations prevents another, I’m happy.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
I drove him to school and as we got closer, I started to ask him if he knew what to do in case of an emergency. "What do you mean, Dad? What kind of emergency, and where?"

Does he know? Does the school have drills? I would be stunned if they did not. My daughter is currently a freshman and my son in 5th grade. My daughter had her first active shooter drill back in kindergarten, so that would have been back in 2013 I think. I volunteer at my son's school and showed up to mentor at the tail end of one of these drills last year. The school goes into lockdown during the drill, no one in or out for any reason whatsoever. If you are inside, you are stuck and you participate. If you are outside, you wait until the drill is over or you leave. They do this drill at least once per school year.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
We got an email from the principal last night...

As two parents who are heavily involved in the school (PTA, volunteer, know people that work for the school and school district), I can tell you that by the time you heard from the principle the issue was resolved. My daughter's high school had a threat this school year. And by the time the voicemail from the principle went out, the police had investigated and dismissed the threat. We know this because of our "inside" info. So we felt completely safe at that point sending out daughter to school. The info we had was that if the threat could not have been dismissed, the voicemail would have been different, up to and including potential cancellation of school.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
There’s nothing wrong with praying for yourself. I pray for strength, guidance, patience, etc every day for example. I still have plenty of room in there to pray for other people as well.

This is also the comment that stuck out in OPs post and since those of us who believe also believe that it's more important than the rest, I've got to say - START PRAYING FOR YOURSELF!

First of all, your prayers were for your son's safety. Secondly, there are HUNDREDS of examples in scripture of people praying for themselves. Christ Himself even prayed for to His Father for His own interest.

Glad there was no incident for whatever reason, but keep up the prayer, brother!

-Rob

I don't know if this is the right answer as my oldest is only 2 and a half, but my position is that "initiative" is the thing the drill down a d reinforce.

Do not wait to see what others are doing. Do not wait to see if it's just a hoax. Do not wait to see if it's just fireworks... Take the initiative to be aware. Take initiative to begin moving. Take initiative to close doors, to flip tables, to run, to hide, to lead friends away from danger, and if necessary to fight back.

Distinguish "initiative" from being a "hero". Everyone has a job to do, his job is to take initiative to move his ass and bring as many friends with him to safety.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
The message needs to be simple. If there is evidence that you said the words, you get lodged. Message ends. And that message needs to come from a unified voice of parents, school staff and cops. We can’t afford to take a bit of this lightly.

/Bangs desk

That's damn right. I'm fully on board with that.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:
Does he know? Does the school have drills?

They had one last week, as a matter of fact. We again talked about what to do after that, inasmuch as I have to agree with, and reinforce the message of "stay in the classroom away from the door." I don't know what else to tell him.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:
As two parents who are heavily involved in the school (PTA, volunteer, know people that work for the school and school district), I can tell you that by the time you heard from the principle the issue was resolved. My daughter's high school had a threat this school year. And by the time the voicemail from the principle went out, the police had investigated and dismissed the threat. We know this because of our "inside" info. So we felt completely safe at that point sending out daughter to school. The info we had was that if the threat could not have been dismissed, the voicemail would have been different, up to and including potential cancellation of school.

Thank you for this, it's good to have this perspective.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
This is also the comment that stuck out in OPs post and since those of us who believe also believe that it's more important than the rest, I've got to say - START PRAYING FOR YOURSELF!

I appreciate this. Before we get too deep in this, just know my program teaches alcoholics not to pray for ourselves other than to ask for guidance, knowledge of God's will, and the strength to carry it out and nothing else for ourselves because we are selfish and will try to bend all things to our own end. This is a measure of discipline, and introducing it into my routine and my thinking has shown me endless benefit. Where it gets murky is listening to other drunks in meetings pontificate on how they don't even pray for their family members because to their minds, it's a selfish end. I disagree and think praying for others is praying for others. God willing, my son will have a whole long life to live when I'm not around to feel one way or another about it. I've done so much casual harm to others in my drinking days that I accept not praying for my own needs beyond what serves God as being just. I generally fall well short of any such lofty mark, but it's something I try to keep in mind.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Do not wait to see what others are doing. Do not wait to see if it's just a hoax. Do not wait to see if it's just fireworks... Take the initiative to be aware. Take initiative to begin moving. Take initiative to close doors, to flip tables, to run, to hide, to lead friends away from danger, and if necessary to fight back.

This is good advice and something I will integrate. We've been working with him on not freezing up. I told him everyone is scared sometimes, we all feel fear, but courage is continuing to do what must be done even when you're scared, especially when you're scared.

As far as having a discussion with your child, I had one with my son when he was in the 3rd grade. The school was training teachers and kids to hole up in the classroom, under desks, in the corners, etc.
I taught him the opposite- get the hell out of there, get outside, run like hell away from gun shots if possible to hear, crawl out of the window if you have to. By then, he was shooting rifles at my gun club and fully understood the effects of guns and ammunition.

At that age, I also told him to never get into a stranger's car, never. Even if it sounds logical and sounds like the right thing to do. I explained if he is driven away, there is a good chance I will likely never see him again.

I am in the same mindset as Oddball. I told my son that if he hears gunfire in the building, to escape by any means necessary, including smashing out windows. I also made sure he was aware of every possible way to exit the building, no matter where he was in it. My kid was well versed in firearms and I felt he would act to save himself and others if the time came.
Now if I had school age kids, I would bust my ass to get home schooling set up. Not just from a safety standpoint but to also avoid BS indoctrination.

quote:

As two parents who are heavily involved in the school (PTA, volunteer, know people that work for the school and school district), I can tell you that by the time you heard from the principle the issue was resolved. My daughter's high school had a threat this school year. And by the time the voicemail from the principle went out, the police had investigated and dismissed the threat.

My kids mom works at a school and I can guarantee that’s not always true. My guess is that when they inform parents depends on the school district, the situation and the advice from LE.

I just recently received a call from her school about a possible threat and was informed before the investigation was complete. It wasn’t until the next day that we got information that the investigation had been completed. They made the call in advance in case anyone wanted to keep their kids home.

Smudge ... I am blessed with our conversation today, it was great to hear your voice.

You are on the right track with all the above and glad to hear how you want (and looking for) a way to fine tune it in a way that works best with your son.

My phone is always open to you 24/7. I might not be the brightest tool in the shed, but as they say: even a blind "pig" can find a truffle.

Keep the faith sir !

I liked HRK's post. If I were you I would definitely attend school board meetings until I was confident that there was a plan and also commitments to rehearse that plan.

Our daughter is in the 6th grade at a private Christian school thats less than 5 minutes from our house. We are absolutely MORE than blessed that she can attend the school. My dad made that possible before he passed, there’s no way we could afford it even with the financial aid. Anyway…I understand completely how you feel and it makes me sick that we have to have these conversations. Security is pretty tight, I’d say at her school. I’ve been told by someone I trust that there are some armed staff besides the security guys. There’s always room for improvement though. My wife is a High School Counsellor close by as well (at a public school). Sometimes I have to deal with being worried about *both* of them. I’m sorry this happened at your boys school, it would freak me out too. I apologize for not having anything substantial to ad…just sympathizing. Definitely following the thread though as I’ve been wondering what to tell our daughter “tactics” wise as well.