On Wednesday, Sept. 3 two Great Mills High School students decided, for whatever reason, to disrupt an entire community, shut down three schools and spread fear through a whole community. Because of one prank phone call, Leonardtown High School, the Forrest Technology Center and Leonardtown Middle School were forced into a Code Red lockdown.

 
 Three schools locked down because
 of a prank phone call theatening
 suicide with a gun.

Those in the community affected by the crisis had no idea what went on in the three schools filled with over 3,500 students and 400 adults for the four hours of the crisis.

Was there fear within? What did students and teachers know about what was going on? What happens in the hearts and minds of students and teachers who are forced to stay, not only inside the schools but are also not allowed to leave their classrooms, not allowed near windows or doors, and in some cases, forced to duck to the floor for their own protection?

 During the event, students and teachers were not allowed to use the bathrooms or eat their lunches. In short, they were imprisoned within the confines of the school until the Code Red cleared – all because two high-school-aged children decided to play a joke and have some fun.

 In an interview with St. Mary’s Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Michael Martirano acknowledged that communications during the crisis were of the utmost importance and paramount to help alleviate extreme anxiety – both within the confines of the school and for parents and concerned citizens left

 
 During the Code Red, no one was allowed
 in or out of the schools.

wondering and worrying outside.

 “I have been an educator for 26 years and have experienced all kinds of crises including a tornado in Laurel, violence, floods and more. The first thing we have to do is to communicate. We have to delineate fact from fiction and ensure that everyone involved is informed as soon as is possible,” said Martirano.

 The school superintendent went on to say that the first thing that happens when a Code Red is announced is that every child and adult in the school experiences an extreme and instant rise in emotional stress and anxiety.

 “It is our job to provide accurate information to those affected by the Code Red as soon as possible,” said Martirano.

 At 12:36 p.m. the following PA announcement was made by the principals in each of the three locked-down schools:

“Our school is on lockdown because of an incident that is occurring in the community close to our school. Nothing is occurring in our school or the other schools nearby.

 “We have instituted the lockdown for your protection until such time as the incident has ended. The lockdown means that no one can enter or leave our building. You are safe and we will cont