We attend Riverside Highschool where, recently, there was an announcement stating, "Staff, we are on lockdown." Despite this, I witnessed a lack of urgency and proper procedure, which could have put many lives at risk. Teachers sat at their desks forcing students to continue with their work, and even scolded those who attempted to contact their families in fear. Doors remained unlocked, and the students were not evacuated to the safer areas of their classrooms, leaving them exposed and vulnerable.

With the increase in school safety threats across the country, it is crucial that our educational institutions treat drills and real lockdowns with the utmost seriousness. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 95% of schools conduct lockdown drills. However, without proper training, these drills become ineffective and fail to prepare students and staff properly for real emergencies.

The importance of proper lockdown procedures cannot be overstated. The tragic events that have occurred in schools over the past few decades highlight the necessity for stringent and effectively implemented safety measures.

To address this issue, we urge the local education authority to mandate regular retraining sessions for teachers and staff focusing on effective lockdown procedures. These sessions should emphasize the importance of quick, calm, and coordinated responses during emergencies. We don't our lives being put at risk because teaches thought that it was a drill!