Schools to focus on student safety training

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said this week that it was working with the FBI to investigate incidents related to school violence at Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools.

Numerous threats are plaguing schools locally and nationally. Many fear that someone will act on those threats like the gunman in the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.

A threat at Southwest Middle School prompted 600 students to stay home Thursday.

"Definitely on my mind every day," parent Arend Johnson said.

It's difficult to escape the reality of what's going on in schools now for Johnson.

"A lot going through my mind, you know," Johnson said.

As for what’s going on inside CMS, district officials wouldn't share specifics for security purposes but said each school has unannounced lockdown drills at least twice a year.

Principals were asked last week to update their school safety plans.

CMS board Vice Chair Rhonda Cheek said all schools are engaged in the conversation.  She also said now is a good time for parents and leaders to speak with students about the severity of making threats against schools.

"At pretty much every school, there's messages going on out, reaching out to parents to make sure they're keeping an eye out and the kids are definitely hearing about it," Cheek said.

The district is looking beyond lockdown drills, she said.

"Something that the superintendent mentioned in our budget meeting the other day, that they are looking at active-shooter training," Cheek said.

Some schools are already taking steps in that direction.

An active-shooter response video was shown to students at Hough High School last week in partnership with the Cornelius Police Department.

In the video, officials share what to do in an active-shooter incident:

• Run
• Hide
• Fight

More drills are something one CMS student said would make her feel safe.

"If we do them more often like we do our fire drills, everybody will understand it more because usually the kids, it doesn't click in. If we did it more often, it would probably help,” student Kalazhay Johnson said.

Cox Media Group