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Feeling safe or creating trauma? How lockdown drills are impacting our schools

Kindergarten students lie on the floor during a classroom lockdown drill February 18, 2003 in Oahu, Hawaii.
Phil Mislinski
/
Getty Images
Kindergarten students lie on the floor during a classroom lockdown drill February 18, 2003 in Oahu, Hawaii.

In 1999 the Columbine shooting shook the country and made everyone aware of the threat of gun violence in schools. As a result, schools made an effort to implement lockdown procedures as a way to keep students and staff safe.

But with the rates of shootings only continuing to rise, these threats of mass shootings are feeling too real, and the lockdowns that were meant to keep students safe are instead inflicting trauma.

So what is going on in these lockdowns that are causing negative impacts and a decline in mental health?

Today we look at what is happening inside the school walls during these lockdowns and what it is doing to our students. A common solution that many schools have turned to is School Resource Officers or SROs.

What do you think should be done to protect our schools while minimizing trauma?

  • Mo Canady: Executive Director of National Association of School Resource Officers
  • Kate Dias: President of Connecticut Education Association and High School Math teacher in Manchester School District
  • David J Schonfeld: Director, National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Stacey Addo produced this show that originally aired on July 28, 2023.

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

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Tess is a senior producer for Connecticut Public news-talk show Where We Live. She enjoys hiking Connecticut's many trails and little peaks, knitting, gardening and writing in her seven journals.
Catherine is the Host of Connecticut Public’s morning talk show and podcast, Where We Live. Catherine and the WWL team focus on going beyond the headlines to bring in meaningful conversations that put Connecticut in context.