[kmomteach]

In one of today's post I discuss students and tornado warnings.

Should you be able to check your child out of school during a tornado lock down?

[KR258]

I agree with schools being on lock down because with the number of parents who want to take their children home would probably be more than the school staff can handle at once and they could easily lose track of children.

[twinzplus3]

Absolutely 100% NO should you be allowed to check your child out of school during a tornado lock down. Allowing parents to do so is a liability on several fronts.

[purelegance]

they're safer in the school building than they are in a vehicle driving home. Also, i agree with KR25, it would be absolute chaos all the parents trying to get their children out. they're on lock down for a reason.

[kmomteach]

I am so pleased to see many of you agreeing with the lock down no one in or out policy! Many parents become angry and say that it is their child and they should be able to get him or her whenever they want.

[Jaycobsmom620]

I live in big time tornado alley here in Texas so its a pretty common thing for us to have warnings here, I think we were in the cellar 4 or 5 times in one week last season so if the weather even looks favorable I check Jaycob out before a warning hits as do many other parents but if they had already had the kids on lockdown and we were in a warning no way because it would be a huge hassle trying to locate him in the school so he just stays. THank goodness we live right up from his school though.

[twinzplus3]

Checking out before the warning hits is a good idea if need be. That is different as it allows for orderly removal of children and clear cmomunication.

I'm sorry to see so many parents be so thick headed and get angry. If they want to come and do as they please then they can homeschool. First of all, a parent (or several) wanting their child in the middle of a lock down a) puts themselves in danger b) puts school staff in danger c) puts other people's children in danger when necessary staff have to go looking for that one child. Not only that but it puts a limit on the staff's effectiveness on doing their jobs and keeping track of children. It is nearly impossible as a teacher to keep track of 30 students in the middle of a situation like that when you have this parent taking a child and then that parent taking a child.

[Samual]

Here we aren't legally allowed to refuse a parent access to their children, if we havea bomb scare or similar all the children are removed from the school immediately just as they would be during a flood alert.

[KR258]

I think a bomb threat is different from a tornado...mainly because the bomb is IN the school and the tornado could be just about anywhere...But if parents feel the need to take them during a bomb threat it should be done orderly and parents should be willing to wait and take turns and be understanding.

[twinzplus3]

No--a bomb threat isn't different--I have to respectfully disagree. But Samual I'm kind of wondering what type of situation you're dealing with. . .I mean I know that you are teaching older kids (which IMO is different--kids here that are in high school would just be sent home if it were safe) but I'm always wondering. . .if any parent is allowed at any time to remove any student and you have let's say a tornado warning (I know. . .not happening in England) how do you keep track of your students?

I am also wondering if your court system allows for the sue happiness that happens here. Who is liable if you lose a student? I'm guess that your laws are just so different it's comparing apples and oranges.