Genoa Middle School teachers ponder their options during an emergency as described by School Resource Officer Jason Berner.
The staff at Genoa Middle School took advantage of the Early Release Day on October 18 by spending a couple of hours during the afternoon focusing on safety. Genoa Township police officers visited the building to conduct training exercises with school staff and P.T.S.A. volunteers on how to respond to an active threat situation at school. Participants first heard a presentation about what has been learned from school shootings in the past – how to look for signs of trouble and how to increase the odds of surviving. They then participated in active shooter drills, where a police officer ran through the building shouting and shooting blanks. Educators in classrooms had to make a snap decision about whether to flee the scene or stay put and barricade the door. The purpose of the drill was to equip teachers with skills they will hopefully never have to use.