Lock Down at my work (school) - OMG...those poor kids were scared!

CAMSMOM1 wrote: As most of you know, I'm a Supervisor at an after school program for kids grades K-6th.

Today, I was called into the school's office by the Principal. She informed me that one of my student's (that didn't show up to our program) was in the office because CPS was called. She believes her father has been abusing her. She asked me a lot of questions, and I wasn't able to see the little girl, Jacklyn, who is in 5th grade. She was being questioned by the CPS workers and police officers.

The Principal told me that her father is on his way to the school, and that I needed to go on lockdown. Which means I had to lock the doors. She didn't see any reason for the children to be picked up, but no one could go outside. (which is hard to keep 60 children indoors all day.) So I advised my staff (teachers) what the situation was, what to say to the children if they asked, and what the plan was if the Dad decided to come by our portables. Some of Jacklyn's friends were asking about her, and they knew something was up.

Well Jacklyn's Dad decided to come 1.5 hours later, and knocked on the front door. I told him through the window that he had to go to the main office. He then went to our second portable and was pounding on that door. Luckily my co-worker didn't open it. Then he came to our back door in the main portable (where I was in) and my other co-worker, Jason, opened it!!!!!!!! WTH!!! I told him not to! And I had to deal with the Dad who was really upset that we were locking him out. By this time the police were on their way to our portable, since I called them as soon as I saw him walking up the 1st time. The police escorted him away to the office.

The kids were really frightened. Especially Jacklyn's friends. By this time, there was no way to disguese what was going on. Parents were really concerened, seeing police cars in front of our portables, and our doors locked. I kept really calm, and tried to comfort them and reassure them, without giving the info.

My head supervisor was really proud of how calm I stayed, and how professional I handled it. But the whole time, I had knots in my stomach. But I knew I had to stay calm for the kids.

But I was more worried about Jacklyn. Her mother isn't in the picture, and she lives with her Dad. It doesn't surprise me that CPS was called on him. The last few weeks, he's been in a really bad mood, and I could tell something was wrong. I wish I could've been there for Jacklyn today, but I was unable to talk to her.

Please keep Jacklyn in your prayers. I'm still trying to relax tonight, it was a pretty emotional day for everyone.

Ann

luvmykids replied: Wow, that's a heavy day. You dealt with it a lot better than I would have! Poor girl, I'll be praying for her. What started the suspicions? KUP.

CAMSMOM1 replied: Well, Jacklyn's Father (Chris) has always been a really weird guy. Last year, he was hitting on one of the staff and he is really inappropriate with women in general. He is very immature, and doesn't have common sense. He is very moody, and on medication. ( I believe he is on medication for either ADHD or something along those lines.) And he has recently stopped taking his meds. Just the things that come out of his mouth would shock anyone. And he has been in an awful mood.

This isn't the first time he has been called in for this. I'm not sure what exactly he did, but for CPS to be called, it must of been serious.

I don't know what will happen to Jacklyn. I don't know any other family members, only her Dad picks her up. I know her father is unstable, but at the same time, I don't know where she'll end up. She is such a sweet girl, but you can see how her father's upbringing has rubbed off on her. She is overly interested in boys, to the extreme. But most girls are at this age.

I know I'm going to have to answer a lot of question to the parents tomorrow. It was not good having police cars in front of our portables, and the kids scared. But my staff & I held it together pretty well.

Thank you for your support & prayers.

luvmykids replied: It breaks my heart to think of that little girl with no other family. Even having a miserable home life, at that age there's still a little comfort zone factor. How scary to get sent to stay with strangers. Even though it's far better than abuse, it still has to be bewildering. She is definitely in my thoughts and prayers. And you as well, for dealing with the parents tomorrow.

NEWMOM05 replied: Wow that's some toughs tuff. My prayersa re with you and Jacklyn. I hope it all works out.

Peggy

gr33n3y3z replied: Hmmm it seems some of the staff needs some training on lock downs
You did good
I hope everything works out for Jacklyn prayers for her

C&K*s Mommie replied: I hope it all works out in her favor, too. Prayers for her.


Like Lisa said, it seems as though more training is needed for future emergencies.

CAMSMOM1 replied:

Oh yes, we're going to have a meeting today about it. First of all, when I found out what was going on, I talked to each of my staff individually, away from the children. I told them that if the children ask why we are locking our doors, or why the police cars were out front, to tell them that "we are having a lock down drill, and that there is no reason to be alarmed." Then I told them if we see her father, to not answer the doors (I thought this was a no brainer for them, since we were on lock down).

But my co-worker, Jason, I guess completely forgot everything I had told him. When one of the older kids asked why we were on lock down, he told them, "Because a crazy parent is on the campus!!!" WTH? And then when the father came to the back door, he OPENED it!!!!

Thank goodness nothing happened, and I got the parent under control. But still, I told him what the procedure was, and either he completly forgot, or wasn't listening.

At least this taught us what to do....and not to do...in case this happens again.

PrairieMom replied:
What an idiot! Okay, so I gotta ask, is your co worker going to get into trouble for making such a big mistake? what if that father had had a weapon or something like that? (my mind always jumps to worst case senerio) but really, opening that door for the father could have been a VERY big mistake!

DansMom replied: Jason needs an official reprimand on his employee record. Completely inappropriate, unprofessional and insubordinate. If this is his first job and he's new, that's one thing, but he really needs to know that it's a firable offense if he can't follow protocol on a lockdown. Too important. Do you have any control over discipline in this case?

We had a barricaded gunman situation just blocks from our local elementary (and just blocks from our house) several weeks ago. The school was put on lockdown and all kinds of things went wrong. Substitute teachers didn't have access to the parent lists in their class, some parents who arrived were allowed to leave with their kids when the whole idea was not to have kids outdoors, etc.

fashionmumofboys replied: Sounds like you had everything under control, and you are such a brave person. That must have been very traumatic for you at the same time.

P&PT's for Jacklyn.

Mom2BNTN replied: I'm not sure I would have handled everything as well as you did in that situation. I know the kids were scared as were you, but you seemed to have remained calm enough to keep the kids from freaking out too badly, but Jason sure didn't help matters any when he opened the door. What was he thinking??? Evidently he wasn't! I hope for Jacklyn's sake that all of these allegations against her father abusing her are false, but it is always best to find out for sure since no child should have to live in abuse. Our prayers go out to her.



Kristi

Insanemomof3 replied: I am sorry, but your coworker was a total idiot. I would demand (if my kids were there) that he be fired, just on the fact that he could have gotten people hurt. What a dummy.

Thank goodness it went well. Hope everything works out for that poor little girl.

CAMSMOM1 replied:

ITA with you. I was so shocked by what he did. And just as shocked about what he told the kids. I specifically told him what to DO & SAY...one ear out the other I guess. I was really surprised by his actions yesterday. He is a very level headed, on the ball, type of person. He usually handels things with tact, and this time he made a BIG mistake.

Yes I can reprimand him. I am having a meeting with my head supervisor this afternoon, and we'll be talking about this.

Here's the twist!!!! Yesterday when all of this was going on, I asked my h. supervisor what to do if he comes to the door. He said if he doesnt go away, to have Jason talk with him!!! Now what were they both thinking???? Sure, Jason and Chris (the father) get along well, but like you guys mentioned, what if he had a weapon or was iriate?

I guess this will be a huge lessoned learned for all of us. And no, he won't get fired for it. They have this crazy system for teachers, and it takes a lot for them to get fired. I know he should get written up for this, and a loooooong lecture, but I'm sure nothing else will come of it. He is a great teacher, just a seriously lack of judgement yesterday. I was so POed by it, but I had to stay calm for the children. But today is a different story, and he & I will have a talk.

Edward's Mommy replied: Did you find out anymore about Jacklyn? Is she okay? Where is she going to go if she has no other family? Could one of the teachers take her home with them until a safer home is found for her? Is Chris (the father) Jacklyn's father???? Praying for her and very proud of how well you handled yourself!!!

A&A'smommy replied: Wow thats sad!!

Our WHOLE middleschool went on lockdown today that was interesting

My3LilMonkeys replied: Must be the week for it - one of our local high schools was on lockdown for 3 1/2 hours on Wed. The kids had to stand outside in a field in 20 degree weather for the first 2 hours until they could locate a safe location to move them to.

~~*Missi*~~ replied: Wow! That poor little girl she is definetly in my prayers and thoughts.

on staying calm I would have doo doo my pants when I get upset I get the worse stomach ache ....LOL

I dont' know what to see other then I hope that all ends up well for that little girl.

CosmetologyMommy replied: congrats on staying calm! I hope the little girl is going to be ok

CAMSMOM1 replied:



Jacklyn wasn't at school today. I figured she would be gone. She is staying with her Grandmother who lives out of town, until Monday. And from there, I'm not sure where they are going to place her.

I found out that Chris, who is Jacklyn's father, is off of his pysciatriat medication. And he has just "lost it" in the principal's words.

I had a good talk with Jason, my co-worker. And everything seems to be straighted out with that.

Jacklyn's friends had a lot of questions. And her best friend, asked me, "Mrs. Annie, did Jacklyn's Dad hit her???" Wow, how did she know?? I don't know if someone told her, or if she knew this because of Jacklyn? I feel bad, because I couldn't give her any answer to her friend, and I know how upset she's been and worried. I'm really worried myself. But I'm glad they caught this in time.

Thank you so much for your support. I will update you as soon as I know more.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Awwww that poor little girl! I'm so sorry that you all had to go through something like that! I hope everything will be okay!