My job isn't completely safe...
 

I work at an elementary school. A few weeks ago a kid was shot and killed at the high school next door. It was gang related.

A week after that a kid was stabbed to death at the 7-11 around the corner. Gang related.

Today, there is a helicopter circling our area. They're telling us that a thief is on the loose, on foot. No word whether he's armed or not. I don't have access to a TV here.

We're in a lockdown, meaning no kids leave classes without an escort. We won't have a lunch play period today. They'll usher them into the cafeteria and back again. Like it's a rainy day, except instead of getting wet, we might get attacked. Or land up in the middle of police standoff, or something.

I'm really not afraid....but I do have to get to my car soon. Like now. I could theoretically hide here for a long while if I had to. It's my "long lunchbreak" day, no work until 3:30pm.

I keep thinking I'll get to my car and be carjacked. You always see that in chases. Toss the poor hapless bystander on the road and take their car for a speedier getaway. I know it's highly unlikely, but it doesn't help that I'm the only one leaving right now.

I'm going to call the office now and see what they recommend.

Ick. I was thinking you were going to talk about budget cuts and how you might lose your job. I guess when you say your job isn't safe it's a bit different than that.

I'd get some big burly guy on campus to escort you to your car. Do you have any of those at the school?

Hang in there, CP.
Please keep us posted.

That is so insane! Here's to hoping for everyone's well being!!

Sheesh! Take care and keep low, just in case!

Donna

Clearly your students need to be better armed, surely you can throw some armor on one of their parent's humvees?

I agree that you should try to find an escort. Isn't there security on your campus? Or a gym teacher or something.

Stay safe, CP!

Here's my anti-climactic (thank goodness) ending.

I couldn't call in to the office. Busy, for obvious reasons. I walked on over as kids were being escorted to the lunchroom. A secretary let me know that the action was on the streets northwest of us. A glance up at the 'copter's path verified that. Our parking lot is on the southeast side. She said I'd be fine if I went straight to my car. She also said streets in the area had been blocked off, so I went a longer way 'round to the freeway. I never had to go anywhere near the problem.

Now I'm at home eating lunch and realizing how lucky I was - I could have been stuck there for hours! :p

*whew*

Thank goodness! Scary...