I find it sad, and somewhat disturbing, that in today's society, lockdown drills in public schools have become the norm (and a necessity), as typical as going through a fire drill. This was something I never used to have to worry about when I was in school; the idea that some crazy lunatic can just run into a building full of little kids and start shooting everyone simply didn't exist. But the harsh reality is, it does exist... and in fact, it has already happened. I am disheartened by the fact that my kids are growing up in a colder world than I did. I do everything I can to keep them safe, but we don't live in a bubble and I know I can't control everything that happens around them... though that doesn't stop me from trying.
Last month big sister K's school had a surprise visit from the Department of Education and Police Department where they evaluated their lockdown procedures. The school completed the drill in 14 seconds, which I believe was a record for the entire state. Big sister K told me she was in the bathroom at the moment, and she had to rush out of there and hide in the cleaning closet. I asked if she washed her hands and she claims she did, but I have my doubts (um yeah, you really didn't need to know that).
Last month baby M had a fire drill at his school. I didn't think anything of it, but the next day, one of the parents of a child in his class approached me in the office and told me that the kids went outside (temperature was probably in the low 20s that day) without their coats on. After our conversation, I realized that was how baby M caught a cold (his first one all season!). I emailed the Director and voiced my concerns, but she claims state regulations prohibit them from taking the time to put coats on all the kids. I told her they don't even have to put their coats on; just grab something (it doesn't even have to be their own) and go, but she would not relent. The only compromise she gave me was that they would be putting blankets over the children (like what active toddler or preschooler would really keep a blanket on?). I even spoke to the Director's supervisor, but that just angered me more. She spent a good 20 minutes on the phone with me babbling away on WHY it was so instead of trying to figure out a way to improve the process. Eventually, I had enough of her and just told her that while I appreciate her call, we were not going to agree on this topic and being that nothing was getting accomplished, I didn't want to waste any more of my time. I told her to have a good day and hung up.
Yesterday, baby M had another fire drill (temperature in the 30s). Again he went outside without his coat on, and again, he caught another cold! How frustrating! I asked if he was cold when he went outside and he said yes. He did say they used the blanket on him, but really, he should have had his coat on. I asked big sister K if she puts her coat on when they have a fire drill in school, and she said yes. Granted, grade-school students can grab their coats quicker than daycare kids can, but still... blankets are not the way to go. I am at a loss. How do your daycares handle fire drills? Am I being totally unreasonable here? Is it acceptable for young kids to be going outside in such extreme winter weather conditions with merely a long-sleeve shirt on?
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