Parents Denied Access to Children During Lockdowns
by Steve Spence
The concept of “lockdown”, a word more commonly known in criminal incarceration settings, is not a term normally associated with the concept of the education of children. However, many school districts in the United States are not only applying the “procedure” to a component of emergency management protocol, but are currently rehearsing it in their schools.
One Monroe County school that is following guidelines and employing the use of lockdown procedure in order to meet federal standards that were handed down two years ago, but not put into motion until now, said one school employee. Now the school is trying to get children comfortable with the lockdown procedure and its many “un-kid friendly” limitations.
The concept of a school lockdown involves a “no one in, no one out” scenario. Children are not permitted to leave the school during a lockdown, nor are off –duty staff allowed in. Doors are locked and the children must ascribe to the directives of school personnel who direct them through the “duck and cover” mentality that many of their grandparents were appeased with as children and other said preventative measures.
This particular school began to practice lockdown without parent’s prior knowledge this week. The superintendent of this district, when asked if he didn’t foresee a potential problem with that, replied that he had “actually had only a couple of concerned parents call, but had 10-12 call asking for more lockdowns”. In a monthly brochure and letter going out to parents, the fact that *parents will not be allowed access to their children* was omitted from these communications. “In the event of a lockdown, you will certainly be allowed to come and get your child. If the lockdown comes from the government (an emergency such as terrorism), then I can’t promise anything”, he said.
In the letter that parents has of yet have not received by mail, parents were also advised “not to come to the schools and clog roadways or phone the school and congest phone lines”, the superintendent said. http://ithaca.indymedia.org/media/text/00/00/04/C0/The other day, My kids brought home papers from school, outlining their procedure for a lockdown of the school, in case of an emergency. Excuse me? A lockdown? They are going to keep my kids from me? I don't think so. Here I will be collecting all the info I can find on this policy, and legal steps that can be taken to prevent it. Please email me with any information you may have, on particular policies, or legal defenses against it.
Click to enlarge
New York State locks down schools statewide
http://www.sbac.edu/~waldo/crisis.htm
http://www.linscott.santacruz.k12.ca.us/lockdown.html
http://www.olentangy.k12.oh.us/district/handbooks/middle/50.html
http://www.communitypolicing.org/publications/comlinks/cl16/cl16_guy.htm
http://ithaca.indymedia.org/media/text/00/00/04/C0/
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/03/r_education_vuko021803.htm
From misc.survivalism:
In another thread, quite an interesting discussion of "School Lock Downs" has transpired. ( know your city evac plan).
We all seem to agree that the policy "sucks" to say the least, taking the responsibility of your children away from you, the parents, in case of an emergency.
My purpose in starting this thread is to get your input and ideas on the legalities of this policy, and what can be done to counter it...legally.
I'm not a lawyer, so I dont know how to resolve this issue.
I think that we will all agree that children would NOT be safer at school in say a chemical attack or dirty bomb scenario. No safe rooms at school, basements or air filtration. Johnny cant carry his protective equipment to school every day.
Yet it seems to be a "fact" that our children WILL BE kept from us in such an emergency.
What can be done? What are your thoughts? What is the policy of your children's school? Did they send home a paper explaining the policy? Where do we stand legally?
What about State liability? Could you threaten legal recourse in advance of a chem/dirty bomb scenario? Can you issue a NON permission paper so they cant keep your kids from you in a chem/dirty bomb type scenario?
I dont want to hear 'home school'..... that's a given. So is taking your kids out on a high risk day (whatever that may be).
Your kids are at school, there is an emergency, they wont let you pick them up.....what should you have done in advance, or what will you do now?
This is actually one of the worst scenarios that I can imagine... and I dont have to use my imagination. Just look at the facts as they stand right now.
Legal advice is what I'm looking for, not 'go in and take them'... unless you REALLY feel that way.. I'll understand.
Thanks in advance.
Carl A. (Bart) Stiles <noyelling@hotmail.com>
I found an interesting letter from an Albany school to their parents. What I found unusual is that the letter says, The safety of your child lies upon the PARENT if you choose to remove your child from school it will be counted as an excused absence.
here is the link.
http://www.new-albany.k12.oh.us/announcement/RJwar.htm
I think it's interesting that I haven't heard anything about "school emergency kits" When my boys first started school here in CA we where asked to bring an earthquake kit. With comfort items such as juice, hard candies, cards, granola bars, small teddy bear. Anything that your child might need in an emergency. Now this all had to fit into a 1 gallon size ziplock bag. Of course I did it. But I found it amazing how few parents did. Many years my boys have been the ONLY children in their class with an emergency kit.
I find it interesting that more schools haven't been asking parents to bring in such items. Or maybe they are and no-one is talking about it.
Paula
