Gwinnett County schools hold hard lockdown drills to prepare for threats

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County high school practiced a hard lockdown drill Friday to prepare for a serious threat inside the building.

On the heels of the events in Florida, the district conducted a string of drills in several schools this week.

“The hallways are cleared. The teachers lock the classroom doors. The lights are out and students move away from the doors and windows,” school spokesperson Sloan Roach said.

Students at North Gwinnett High School said the drills were more intense than most.

“It’s more severe-like. It’s something the people in Florida went through, so we felt it was necessary,” junior Kyndal Silver said.

The district said there has been a spike in tips about possible threats. All were followed up by school police and none were proven to be credible.

School administrators sent an email to parents to let them know about the drills.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea to just practice. I’m in the military. We always practice and train, so I think it’s a good thing for them to train just in case something like this was to occur,” parent Lacresha Crawford said.

Students said they want to be prepared if something were to happen.

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“Kind of like a practice, so you won’t freak out as much if it does happen and you’ll have a better idea of what to do. Less panic,” junior Kate Davis said.

“I felt like we’re going to be prepared if something does happen, God forbid,” Silver said.

Administrators said they are also preparing for what could be a nationwide mass student walkout in response to the shooting in Florida.

“Our principals are meeting with student leaders ahead of time to talk to them about ways to express their concerns in a way that does not interrupt instructional time," Roach said.

There were a couple of walkouts Wednesday that happened during school, but in a letter to parents, district officials said any students who engage in activities that create disruption could face discipline.

School officials said they will try to organize a safe way for students to express themselves so they can still be a part of what some students hope can change history.

“It’s probably better to do it with the school system because students by themselves, I don’t know if that’s a good idea because it’s not really that safe,” Silver said.

Cox Media Group