What would you do? Shooting threat related

[mortomo]

My DS's school district sent out a broadcast last night saying that there have been several threats for shootings/bombs for tomorrow being that it's 12-21-12 (school district in general, not necessarily my DS's school). That in light of the recent school shooting they are beefing up internal securty and are working with the police department to have heavier patroling outside of the pulbic schools.

My DS just called me and said that several teachers and kids are not going to school tomorrow because they don't want to take the risk. Of course, my DS is trying to get me to agree to let him stay home tomorrow.

His school usually has a couple of bomb threats a year and also end up on a lockdown for various reasons at least once a year. They are usually kids who want to get out of school so they make these stupid threats. Kids wave knives around on a daily basis, so security pretty much sucks at his school.

Would you be worried and keep your child home from school (he's in HS, btw)?

[So_Fetch]

I don't have kids - but I probably would. Especially since it's the day before Christmas break so they probably wont' do any actual learning anyway. I doubt he'll miss much.

[Deleted]

We have them here at my school tomorrow as well...i will be here and so will my own kids.

[partiallysunny]

I'd consider letting him stay home because it's the last day before winter break (I'm guessing).

There might be a few conditions, like he had to do a few extra chores around the house and get all of his work while he's at school today.

Your lack of confidence in the schools security and the fact that they sent home a memo makes me think that it would be better to avoid the fiasco that is probably coming. Who's wants to be on lock down just before Christmas? Even if is a false alarm.

[Deleted]

These threats happen more than you know...are you goingto keep them home every time?

[Chirp]

I think the 12/21/12 threats (whether realistic or just a rumor) are pretty much everywhere. People are stupid.

However, given that it's the day before Christmas break I'd let him stay home if he really wanted to. It's not like anything goes on the day before Christmas break. We just watched movies and played games (yes, even in HS) the whole day.

[mortomo]

Dec 20, 2012 13:06:52 GMT -5 mags said:

These threats happen more than you know...are you goingto keep them home every time?

This is kind of where I'm at, too. The parents get notified whenever there's a threat or a lockdown but it's always after the fact.

I mean, I don't know if this time it will be real or not and like you said, I'm not going to keep him home every time. The fact that teachers are staying home is really what concerns me. Although it could be that they just don't want to work tomorrow so they are using these threats as an excuse not to come into work.

I would just feel horrible if I told him he had to go and then something did happen. He gets done with school at 11:00 every day, so he's not there very long.

[Muddled]

I wouldn't. If he had school scheduled and he was not sick, he would be going.

[starrieskies]

I think it depends on the kid. If the kid is a generally good kid who normally keeps his grades up and we don't have disciplinary issues, I MIGHT say ok. But the only reason I would consider that is because it's the last day before winter break and I know that he wouldn't be missing out on much.

[Deleted]

I would because it's the last day of school and I'm working from home today and tomorrow so I would be a hypocrite if I made him go.

When I was in high school we got at least 1 bomb threat a year. My senior year there were 5 or 6. They're a pain and end up irreparably interrupting the day.

[neonpink]

I would let him stay at home. My HS got at least 3 bomb threats it was always strange.

[housegeek]

I'd let 'em stay home.

[cabbage10]

I am a teacher at a high school, we have that exact same rumor going around. It makes me sad that the day before a winter break we are having to think about something so awful. I like to think of the last day before a vacation as a fun and festive atmosphere. We are still having class as normal and if my students stay home they will be missing out on important instruction (once we come back from break exams are only 5 days away).

I feel like letting them stay home it is sort of letting all these awful people making up rumors "win." I trust that my school and the administration and extra security will keep my students as well as myself safe- I imagine your school system has similar protocols in place.

[wrathofkuus]

The university here had daily bomb threats last spring for MONTHS. I guess people were scared the first time, but after that, we all just kind if rolled our eyes and went about our business.

[mortomo]

He ended up going to school. He had a pre-calc quiz so he didn't argue with me about it. He said that only 9 kids showed up to 1st hour today.

[Deleted]

We have about 75% here today

[mortomo]

Mags...that's not too bad considering it's just before winter break.