The harsh reality of threats to schools

Today I volunteered at my kids school.  I like doing it; I feel it keeps me in the loop.  Well this once I ALMOST wish I wasn't.  I happend to be there when an explanation was being given of a new protocall;  How to handle a bomb threat. 

I was floored!! I walked into this conversation (not a word for word recall but close enough): 

"first you hit this red record button, then flag a helper or aid to go for help and try to keep the caller on the line as long as possible".

WHAT??? I was not sure quite what was going on so I asked for an explanation.  This is what I was told.

"Next week is the one year anniversary of the hostage situation that took the life of Emily Keyes over at the Highschool"

Yes I knew that.  I nodded and waited for them to finish explaining.

"The Board of Education is expecting threats"

ME: "BOMB threat???" I asked, after recieving a nod, I continued "Expecting or planning for???"

"Expecting" this was a statement.

This is not just a possibility they are planning for but an eventuallity they are showing how to be handled. They are sure this threat will come just not who will get the call.  All our classrooms have a direct line so anyone can call any teacher or room. 

 I am just horrified.  It was bad enough when this happened to our small community last year and now I find out there are nuts out there who want to do MORE damage on this already sad and terrible day.

What has the world come to when what should be a day of rememberence and doing "Random acts of kindness for Emily" (a foundation started in her honor)  is turned into a day of threats of violence?

I am saddened by this and now I have to decide wheather to give in to these nuts and keep my kids home that day or send them in and just make sure I am there that day to volunteer in what ever capacity I can so that I am not once again forced to wait out a lockdown of our schools and not be able to get to my kids for HOURS! 

I can tell you from first hand experience that it is not fun.  You may know your child is fine, but is quite possibly upset and traumatized and needing you and you can not get to them.  Last year it took over three hours to get through all the traffic and tv cameras, sign in, be checked, and get my child released.  This year I have BOTH of my kids in school.  I swear it is enough to make me want to home school.

Please pray for our town that whoever would do this rethinks their choices and finds a better outlet for their pain.  God Bless.

{for more info on the Emily Keyes Hostage situation try googeling her, Bailey, CO; and Platte canyon High school}