I vividly remember my high school as a polling place when I attended. I thought it was cool, seeing the democratic process in motion. The voting booths were set up right in our front foyer, and we’d walk past on our way to gym, government classes, and the cafeteria.
Next week Tuesday, my son’s district is having an E-learning day because they are a polling place. I’m relieved. My own district, on the other hand, is staying open. Students will eat in the classrooms for the day, and we were assured there would be a police officer stationed outside the. I’ve known this for two weeks, and I’m anxious. Yesterday we received an email from our superintendent notifying us he would be emailing a letter to parents regarding the shooting at Covenant School in Nashville. This is typical for him after a school shooting. He goes through our district’s safety procedures, precautions, and work with the city police force. This email was different. He stated many parents had reached out asking for an E-learning day on election day, as 3 out of 7 schools are polling locations. So in addition to going into the typical safety procedures, precautions, etc, he responded by telling parents there would be an increased police presence at each of our schools over the next week. The schools would are polling places would have police officers stationed inside throughout the day. As a teacher, I’m more anxious. And I wonder. I wonder if parents know that teachers are anxious. I wonder if they know that after a school shooting we are hesitant to go outside for recess and dismissal. I wonder if they know we feel like sitting ducks. I wonder if they know the reality that despite our best efforts, a shooter can still get into the building if they really want to. I wonder if they know some of us are debating whether staying in a profession we love knowing we might die doing it is worth it. I wonder if they know our annual staff talks with the police include questions regarding students trapped in the hall. I wonder if they know the police say it’s an impossible decision, but that opening the door to save one child endangers the lives of 20+ others. I wonder if they know how scared we actually are, despite the brave face we put on to make it seem as business as usual. It wasn’t always like this. And there is a solution. But that would disrupt “Business as usual,” now wouldn’t it? *I’m borrowing the phrase ‘business as usua’ from Mazerly Musing who’s slice is honestly the best educator response I’ve ever seen written down.
2 Comments
I share those wonderings. I'd add, "I wonder how we could reach all those folks making 'shall not infringe' trend on Twitter." I know some of them are good folks, but they're so blinded by their love of guns. It's depressing.
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3/30/2023 06:48:38 am
I'm so sad that our society has reached the level of frustration and fear that it has. I mentioned how "light" the traffic was on Wednesday morning casually and someone responded, "I bet people are keeping kids home today - because..." I felt the bile enter my mouth as a physical response to the fear that has infused our thoughts. Not everyone is thinking about students and teachers!
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