During third period on JAN 21, we had our annual lockdown drill. The practice drill had happened nearing the end of the class for ten minutes, in preparation if an emergency ever had to have occurred. The students and teachers are quietly and patient in their classrooms as outside staff goes down the hall checking for all locked doors.

Having lockdown drills can affect people in different ways. Some students think of this as nothing but others could potentially find the drills scary as this is a very serious issue. By practicing these drills at an annual time period the school plans to have us prepared for if we ever had a real issue. 

¨They are boring but nice when the class is not as important,¨ Avery Buss (Sophomore) said. 

Our January lockdown drill happened at around 1:30 pm lasting until the end of class. Procedures for the lockdown drill consists of keeping the blinds closed, locking the door, and standing in the far back of the classroom so that the students are not noticed by outside intruders. Students must stand quietly so if someone were outside of the classrooms they wouldn't bring attention to the class.

¨I don't completely understand us doing them so often because we have been going over the same drills since kindergarten so I feel like we should know what we are doing by now,¨ Buss said.

Lockdown drills have a lot of effects on students, but with a calm environment made by the teachers the students can find a sense of peace.

¨I think that lockdown drills are necessary and effective in some forms¨ Deepika Sidhu (Senior) said. 

Lockdown drills are mandatory because all students and staff have to be prepared in case of an emergency were to arise. Also muscle memory is a thing that helps people when there are stressful things going on in life. So by continuously doing these drills people will just do what they normally would without getting too stressed under a real emergency.

Even though students may just believe this is boring and unhelpful, it is still required we do it. If this was not effective then it would not be as important for all schools to do it. At the end of the day, in a real life situation it could be very helpful for all McNary staff and students.