Life
Mom Sees Heartbreaking Poem For Active Shooter Drill
The heart-shattering poem is meant to be recited to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." 😢
Cedric Jackson
06.13.18

When Georgy Cohen was out looking for kindergarten classes for her child, she noticed an unusual poem posted on the board in one of the classes. She was shocked by what it said and scared for her child and all the others who have to attend school in fear these days.

Georgy Cohen
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Georgy Cohen

The poem was meant to be said in the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

It said,

“Lockdown Lockdown

Lock the Door

Shut the Lights Off

Say No More

Go Behind the Desk and Hide

Wait Until It’s Safe Inside

Lockdown Lockdown

It’s All Done

Now It’s Time to

Have Some Fun!”

KQED
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KQED

Cohen realized that the poem was used to teach the young children how to handle a lockdown.

It was upsetting, and while she wasn’t mad at the school, she was mad that this is the world we live in and at the thought of her child having to learn about things like this at such a young age.

“I was surprised and then just sad. I don’t blame the school at all — they are doing exactly what they need to do to keep little kids safe. I blame our prevailing culture and chronic inaction as a country,” she said, adding that she did not want to identify the school.

Integrated Learning Strategies
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Integrated Learning Strategies

She posted a photo of the poem on social media, and it went viral.

It’s not something she expected to happen, but she is glad that is has gotten people talking about it. She explained:

“I think that’s important. It’s important that we don’t let this feel normal, that we continue to be shocked and disgusted and reckon with the sick feeling in our stomachs. This is not OK and should not be normal, and we should be fighting for change. If it gets people not just thinking and reflecting but acting more meaningfully toward gun reform, all the nonsense will have been worth it.”

Dr. Kaylene Henderson
Source:
Dr. Kaylene Henderson

A lot of people agreed with her.

Most felt that the poem was a good way to teach young kids about lockdowns but that the need for such a sign was heartbreaking. A lot of people commented on the photo.

Courtney Vial commented:

“As a parent, this is not only heartbreaking, it’s infuriating. After Parkland, my 6-year-old came home after her first crisis drill and told me she didn’t want to die at school. She then proceeded to tell me all the places she could hide here at home from an intruder, but then got upset because I was too big to hide in those places. Our children shouldn’t have to be worried about these things or studying every room they’re in for a hiding place. I shouldn’t have to tell my baby that she is under no circumstances to try to help her teacher if the worst DOES happen, because I’m selfish and I don’t want my baby to be shot. I don’t see how any parent, any person with a heart can see these things, hear these things and read these things without wanting to change how we see school shootings and violence in our nation.”

School Bus Fleet
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School Bus Fleet

Another reader, India Blake, commented:

“People seem to treat shootings like a natural disaster, something we have no control over. Doing a tornado drill is much less scary than doing an active shooter drill. It’s ridiculous that it’s gotten to the point where children have to be prepared to potentially be shot at school.”

Nicole Plebanek, a mother who read the poem, commented:

“This makes me glad I’m getting a degree in child development so I’ll be qualified to home school my child. Feels like everyday I become more certain that’s what I wanna do. Seeing this makes my chest ache.”

Capital Gazette
Source:
Capital Gazette

While this poem is definitely sad and even scary for most parents, it could actually help save lives someday.

Still, our children shouldn’t have to be scared in school. Maybe this poem will help raise awareness about the need for gun control. Our kids deserve to feel safe in school.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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