Holloway Elementary School is focusing on student support and communication following a brief lockdown triggered by a false report of a gun on campus. First responders quickly determined there was no threat, but the incident has prompted discussions among school officials and community leaders about how to help young students process such events.
The lockdown at the pre-K through third-grade school was initiated after a student made a report about a weapon. According to Springfield Superintendent Matt Geha, the situation, while stressful, served as an unplanned test of the school's emergency procedures, which had been recently practiced.
Key Takeaways
- Holloway Elementary School entered a brief lockdown due to a false gun report made by a student.
- First responders confirmed there was no actual threat to students or staff.
- School officials are implementing a debriefing process to support students.
- Community safety experts are advising parents on how to discuss the incident with their children.
Parental Concern and Official Response
Upon receiving the lockdown alert, many parents gathered near the school, anxious for information. The uncertainty created a tense atmosphere for the community.
Parent Michael Albert described the feeling of not knowing what was happening inside the school. "What’s happening to everybody’s kids, what’s going on?" he said, recalling his initial thoughts. He noted that his daughter had recently told him about a lockdown drill, which added to the confusion of the moment.
Once law enforcement determined the report was unfounded, the lockdown was lifted. School operations continued, though some parents chose to pick up their children early for the day.
Putting Drills into Practice
Schools across the country regularly conduct safety drills to prepare for various emergencies, including active threats. These exercises are designed to make responses from students and staff more instinctual, potentially saving lives in a real crisis. The incident at Holloway provided an unexpected application of this training.
Superintendent Emphasizes Debriefing and Normalcy
Springfield Superintendent Matt Geha addressed the incident, highlighting how the school's recent training was put into action. He acknowledged the emotional toll such events can take, even when they are drills.
"Even in a drill that we’ve seen, people get emotional," Geha stated. "When you’re practicing a drill for a real event. This allowed us to put our practice into play."
Geha confirmed that the school will conduct a thorough debriefing process. This will provide an opportunity for students and staff to discuss the event and ask questions in a supportive environment. He stressed the importance of returning to a normal routine to help students feel safe and secure again.
"It’s almost like when you swim and you have an incident, you’ve gotta get back in the water when it’s safe to get back in the water," Geha explained, using an analogy to describe the need for a swift return to the classroom environment.
Guidance for Families on Discussing the Event
Community leaders are encouraging parents to have open conversations with their children about what happened. Fred LeFebvre and Earl Mack of the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers, an organization that teaches children about gun violence prevention, offered advice for families.
The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers
The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers is a community organization that, among other activities, provides safety education to children. Their programs focus on teaching kids simple, memorable rules for what to do if they encounter a firearm.
Starting the Conversation
LeFebvre suggested that parents can start a conversation by sharing how they would feel in a similar situation. This approach can make a child feel more comfortable opening up about their own fears or confusion.
"You have to continue that conversation so that they’re open about whether or not they were fearful, were they afraid, what would they do if there really was a gun?" said LeFebvre.
Mack, the organization's Post Commander and President, emphasized that all threats must be taken seriously until they are proven false. "We take all threats like that to be serious until it’s discredited," he said.
Key Safety Messages for Children
The Buffalo Soldiers promote a simple, four-step safety message for children who might find a gun:
- Stop: Do not get any closer.
- Don't Touch: Never touch the firearm.
- Run Away: Leave the area immediately.
- Tell a Grown-Up: Find a trusted adult and tell them what you saw.
The organization also noted that it is best for an adult to make any emergency calls to ensure clear communication with first responders. Officials have not released any information regarding the circumstances that led the student to make the false report.