Friday, August 28, 2026

Lockdown!!

Today someone called in a bomb threat to a few schools in the area. One of those threats was made to Westview High School where Lisa works. Because Lisa starts work late this year, she was kind of caught in the middle and she didn’t think the system dealt well with people caught in her situation. She decided it might be useful to share her experience with those people in charge. Here is a copy of the email she sent.

From: 
Sent: Friday, August 28, 2026 11:45 AM
To: 

Subject: Lockdown Experience and Safety Protocol Feedback 8/28

Hello,

I wanted to share my experience today during the lockdown because I believe it may be helpful when reviewing safety protocols and procedures for the future.

I start work at 9:05 a.m. and arrived on campus just before 9:00. When I pulled in, I noticed a police car and several parents who looked concerned. I assumed there may have been an issue involving their students. I parked and called my husband while I was getting my things out of my car. While I was talking to him on speakerphone, I walked toward the staff door and noticed another police car drive by and stop in front of the gate where Food and Nutrition staff and deliveries enter. The officer got out of his car as I was walking toward the staff door, but he did not stop me. I opened the staff door and entered the school.

I was halfway through the cafeteria, heading toward the quad, when I noticed I had a text message from Dave MacMartin saying that we were on lockdown and that it was not a drill. The message had been sent about 20 minutes earlier, and I didn't know whether we were still on lockdown. I decided to go to the office to see what was happening, but the door I went to was locked. I assumed we were still on lockdown, so I walked down the hallway toward the WV Center to see if I could find someone or figure out where I was supposed to go. Everything was locked.

I knocked on Christine Cudmore's window, knowing she most likely would not open the door. At the time, I was also sending a voice text to Katherine. Christine eventually opened her door and quietly asked me to come in. She had peeked through the blinds and recognized that it was me. I am very grateful that she let me in, although I realize this was outside of the normal lockdown protocol. At that moment, I simply had no idea where I was supposed to go or what I was supposed to do.

I am especially grateful that Dave sent me the text message. Without that message, I would have continued walking through the cafeteria and quad toward my first-period class. I have a key to that building, and even though the door would have been locked, I would have used my key to let myself in. I realize that could have been alarming to both the students and the teacher.

Even after the lockdown was over and I was able to get to my classroom, the door was locked and I had to use my key to let myself in, which surprised the students and teacher.

I am sharing this because I think my experience may highlight an opportunity to clarify the procedures for staff members who arrive on campus after a lockdown has already begun. It would be helpful to know exactly where staff should go, how they will be notified if they are not already inside the school, and what they should do if they arrive while the campus is in lockdown.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my experience. I am sharing this with the hope that it can help make our safety procedures as clear and effective as possible moving forward.

Sincerely,

Lisa

Instructional Assistant

Westview High School