We all know a Gracie: seven years old and a backpack full of crayons to the nub and acorns from the recess field. Something else came home in her book bag this week - A journal entry about her Lockdown. She was scared and wanted to know if I was scared. Her words were accompanied by a troubling picture: huddled with classmates in a school bathroom, fear and tears etched on their faces in the form of squiggles and little rain drops as they experienced an active shooter drill.

Our children are learning to not just read and write, but also how to be quiet, to hide, to pray that they’ll never have to use this horrific drill in real life. School Boards are empowered to shape the safety measures in our schools. It's high time the Lexington Richland 5 Board Members experienced first-hand what our children go through during these drills.

Requiring Board Members to participate annually in an active shooter/lockdown drill in one of our D5 schools will ensure that those governing our children's education and safety are fully aware of the realities these students face. This exposure will empower them to advocate more effectively for safer schools, better policies, and more funding if needed.

Let's ensure that the people making decisions about our children's safety understand their reality. Gracie's story and countless others are relying on us. Stand with Gracie, stand with us all, and sign this petition. Let's get the Board Members of Lexington Richland 5 into the classrooms and into these drills where they belong. Sign this petition today to ensure that our children play, learn, and grow in a secure environment.