Parents demand more information on school lockdown drills

P.E.I.'s Home and School Federation, which represents parents of students in theIsland's two English school boards, wants to know what schoolchildren are being told about lockdown drillstaking place atthe province's schools.

'Was any thought given to, after the fact, if there was any emotional upset?' Sue Petit, parent

The drills are being held at all Island schools to prepare students fora scenario in which an intruder entersa school. Sue Petit has two children at Athena Consolidated junior high school in Summerside. She told CBC News Wednesday parents were only notified a few days in advance about the lockdown drill.

"I would have liked to have known more about what was being discussed with the kids and what actually was going to happen during the drill," said Petit.

"Was any thought given to, after the fact, if there was any emotional upset by any of the students?"

Bill Whelan, president of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation, said while the federation supports the idea of lockdown drills, the group isn't happy withthe wayinformation is getting out to parents. Whelan said in some schools, parents are being told about the drillsin newsletters or notes sent home. In others, only parents who go to the federation's meetings are getting information.

"We need a communications plan where a parent in Tignish and a parent in Charlottetown are getting the same information," said Whelan.

"They're getting the information that allows them to understand what their child is going to be involved with when a lockdown drill occurs [so] they can better understand how to support their children."

Whelan said parents should be told about a drill at least two weeks before it happens. The federation has sent letters to the Eastern and Western school boards expressing its concerns.