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Lauren Smith's avatar

Garrett, I'm so sorry that your family and so many others have had to endure the fear and the heartbreak. It took me a few days to read this (I'm a teacher, it was the last week of school), and I'm glad that I read it at a time when I could fully take it in. I'm glad that your son is okay.

My kids know that they are ONLY allowed to open the door if it's for someone that they know, who is CURRENTLY in our ACTUAL class. Even if it's the principal, they come get me, and I handle it. My heartbeat speeds up every time I hear an unexpected knock and drops into my stomach every time a kid comes back and says, "Miss, somebody's at the door."

My kids are my kids, but they're not my children; my heart is with you in talking about this at home - I have official language and guidance on my side (whether I agree with it all the time or not). I teach seventh grade (taught sixth last year, and the difference between those two grades is SIGNIFICANT, and last year was harder for these types of conversations), and I walk the line between honesty and protection constantly. My line is often "I cannot guarantee that I can keep you safe, but I can guarantee I'll do everything that I can do to so."

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