Violent events at schools are always well-publicized, and school security preparations have begun to receive attention in local papers, including a recent article about WGHS.

Local authorities have established a procedure for responding to extremely serious safety threats at schools. On Thursday, Booksin Elementary School will participate in a “Code Red” training exercise, in cooperation with the San Jose Police Department

From the school’s weekly newsletter …

One of the events every school must prepare for, but always hopes never happens, is being confronted with a danger or threat to student and staff safety. If ever such an event presents itself, it is imperative that we are prepared to respond appropriately. …

Thursday morning, April 5th, our site will have a practice “Code Red” drill. The drill will include a site lockdown, which would occur in the extreme situation of an armed intruder on the campus. Classrooms will be secured per the training. SJPD will be on site to evaluate our skill with the “Code Red” procedures and will provide us with important feedback.

A recent “Code Blue” situation near Lincoln High School in February didn’t warrant a more-severe “Code Red” response, but SJPD ordered the modest lockdown in response to a crime committed nearby:

“In a Code Blue students are not allowed to travel from classroom to classroom but we don’t bar the doors the way we do in a Code Red,” district spokeswoman Karen Fuqua said. …

Lockdown of this type are not unheard of but happen infrequently throughout the district. “Across the school district maybe two a year, three a year,” Fuqua said.

It’s good to know the schools are preparing for the unthinkable. And if you observe the drill on Thursday, remember … it’s just a drill.