Should Supergirl Tackle School Shootings?

*raises hand* High school teacher here.

Ummmm....we actually just had an incident here in my school two weeks ago. Long story short, kid made map of school and told friends he was going to "blow up the school." Had a plan and specific people to take out.

Here in Utah, we have a phone app called SafeUT. In fact, funny I should mention it because it's currently trending on Twiiter. Anyway, the app allows for anonymous tips. Any tips (whether they be about threats or possible suicide situations) sent into the app goes directly to the phones of the principal of the "involved" school, the involved school superintendent, and local police officials. And in THIS case, that's exactly what happened. And then all of us teachers and staff are connected to the principal via the RemindApp.

I can't give any details due to FERPA laws (which its MY belief that once one makes a threat like that, he/she have waived all rights). But, the situation was handled long before anyone knew. However, word continued to spread and snapchats were shared, parents were informed by their children, and SafeUT got a gazillion tips. Most parents withheld their students from school on the supposed day of "attack." Ten police officers, dogs, and bomb squad searched the entire school before 5:30 am even came around--long before school started. Then said 10 officers remained through the day in the hallways.

On top of all of this...well....let's just say....Utah is a very friendly state to teacher conceal/carry.

We all have a set system in the school, and have yearly drills. We've also been under lock-down twice since I've worked here in 18 years. One was a false alarm. One was due to a mad man out in the parking lot waiving a machete around.

But, my first 4.5 years of teaching was at a lock-down facility--the worst of the worst when it came to "naughty" kids. Thus, I've learned to always be on the look-out, and always have a plan running in the back of my brain where ever I go. I even always make sure I'm sitting facing the door when at restaurants

P.S....note...none of which I mentioned involved guns? Bombs and machete.

*raises hand* High school teacher here.

Ummmm....we actually just had an incident here in my school two weeks ago. Long story short, kid made map of school and told friends he was going to "blow up the school." Had a plan and specific people to take out.

Here in Utah, we have a phone app called SafeUT. In fact, funny I should mention it because it's currently trending on Twiiter. Anyway, the app allows for anonymous tips. Any tips (whether they be about threats or possible suicide situations) sent into the app goes directly to the phones of the principal of the "involved" school, the involved school superintendent, and local police officials. And in THIS case, that's exactly what happened. And then all of us teachers and staff are connected to the principal via the RemindApp.

I can't give any details due to FERPA laws (which its MY belief that once one makes a threat like that, he/she have waived all rights). But, the situation was handled long before anyone knew. However, word continued to spread and snapchats were shared, parents were informed by their children, and SafeUT got a gazillion tips. Most parents withheld their students from school on the supposed day of "attack." Ten police officers, dogs, and bomb squad searched the entire school before 5:30 am even came around--long before school started. Then said 10 officers remained through the day in the hallways.

On top of all of this...well....let's just say....Utah is a very friendly state to teacher conceal/carry.

We all have a set system in the school, and have yearly drills. We've also been under lock-down twice since I've worked here in 18 years. One was a false alarm. One was due to a mad man out in the parking lot waiving a machete around.

But, my first 4.5 years of teaching was at a lock-down facility--the worst of the worst when it came to "naughty" kids. Thus, I've learned to always be on the look-out, and always have a plan running in the back of my brain where ever I go. I even always make sure I'm sitting facing the door when at restaurants

P.S....note...none of which I mentioned involved guns? Bombs and machete.

Uncomprehensible to me...

But... app sounds pretty great. And... great that you guys had support and everyone here seems to have a plan.

In safety, or really in any business, the intent is always to keep risks ALARP--as low as reasonably possible. Not plan for every eventuality (statistical outliers) because it is not feasible and would be prohibitively expensive.

Also.. most of such plans are based on data. May be some in depth research would help here. In bringing a long term solution to the issue rather than treating the symptom.

*raises hand* High school teacher here.

Ummmm....we actually just had an incident here in my school two weeks ago. Long story short, kid made map of school and told friends he was going to "blow up the school." Had a plan and specific people to take out.

Here in Utah, we have a phone app called SafeUT. In fact, funny I should mention it because it's currently trending on Twiiter. Anyway, the app allows for anonymous tips. Any tips (whether they be about threats or possible suicide situations) sent into the app goes directly to the phones of the principal of the "involved" school, the involved school superintendent, and local police officials. And in THIS case, that's exactly what happened. And then all of us teachers and staff are connected to the principal via the RemindApp.

I can't give any details due to FERPA laws (which its MY belief that once one makes a threat like that, he/she have waived all rights). But, the situation was handled long before anyone knew. However, word continued to spread and snapchats were shared, parents were informed by their children, and SafeUT got a gazillion tips. Most parents withheld their students from school on the supposed day of "attack." Ten police officers, dogs, and bomb squad searched the entire school before 5:30 am even came around--long before school started. Then said 10 officers remained through the day in the hallways.

On top of all of this...well....let's just say....Utah is a very friendly state to teacher conceal/carry.

We all have a set system in the school, and have yearly drills. We've also been under lock-down twice since I've worked here in 18 years. One was a false alarm. One was due to a mad man out in the parking lot waiving a machete around.

But, my first 4.5 years of teaching was at a lock-down facility--the worst of the worst when it came to "naughty" kids. Thus, I've learned to always be on the look-out, and always have a plan running in the back of my brain where ever I go. I even always make sure I'm sitting facing the door when at restaurants

P.S....note...none of which I mentioned involved guns? Bombs and machete.

Uncomprehensible to me...

But... app sounds pretty great. And... great that you guys had support and everyone here seems to have a plan.

In safety, or really in any business, the intent is always to keep risks ALARP--as low as reasonably possible. Not plan for every eventuality (statistical outliers) because it is not feasible and would be prohibitively expensive.

Also.. most of such plans are based on data. May be some in depth research would help here. In bringing a long term solution to the issue rather than treating the symptom.

We go on lockdown probably 2 - 3 times a year. NOT drills.

Honestly, I would like to leave the school shootings in the realm of reality, let me enjoy some chill, action and fun in my entertainment viewing.

"I can't foresee any appropriate story line for Supergirl to come in and save a school from a shooter that wouldn't come across as inappropriate."

Yes, I tend to agree. The TV show probably shouldn't attempt it. It would very likely come across as political and divisive. I'll just write it myself, the way it would have been done in the 60s and 70s. No politics - just Supergirl showing up (with no advance fanfare) at the very last second and saving the day....

P.S. - Remember the Mighty Mouse theme: "We're not worried - not at all...We're just waiting for this call: "Here I come to save the day...."

There were no politics in the 60s and 70s? in the comics? There has always been politics in the comics, even Supergirl.....the very fact that there was a Supergirl and a Wonder Woman in the comics in and of itself was extremely political during that time period. Heck there are even college courses out there using the Fantastic Four and Sue Storm as the nodal point of the discussions on the Women's Movement of the 60's and 70's..... But, ok..... I will say this however, Supergirl and Wonder Woman were not Super and Wonder enough for me, and neither was the Invisible Woman of the Fantastic Four Fantastic enough for me, that is why I was a Johnny Storm fan and played him with the neighborhood kids not any of the women of the comics at the time. Batgirl on TV was even a let down......so I guess I had the makings of a progressive feminist even in my single digit days....LOL

"There were no politics in the 60s and 70s? in the comics? There has always been politics in the comics, even Supergirl....."

No, I didn't mean to imply that there wasn't any politics in the Silver Age and Bronze Age comics. Of course there was! How about the (now very valuable) 1963 issue of Action Comics in which Superman and Supergirl went to the White House to be honored by President Kennedy? (I've included a photo of the first page below.)

I was just saying that I'm not going to bring politics into the fan fiction story I'm writing about a potential school shooting being foiled by Supergirl in National City. The moral is simply going to be "if you see something, say something" (which Ruby does, to Alex). And I believe that's something we can all agree on!