June 2016, I had the most memorable end-of-the-year party in a First Grade class. While scooping out ice cream for 18 excited seven year olds, a Code Red alarm went off. Quickly and calmly the teacher guided 18 children and me into a small bathroom. Before following the last child in, I grabbed my purse, which fortunately had my cell phone.
The children knew exactly what to do and handled it well for a time. We sat in the dark and in silence, with the occasional seven year old silliness. Time passed on, and we waited for the Code Red to be lifted. The children started to get anxious and honestly, so did I.
I was able to get cell service and find out that it wasn’t a practice drill; we were REALLY under a Code Red. The police had set up a perimeter, and the authorities were actively looking for a threat. The longer we sat the more the 
children started to get scared. They hugged each other, held hands for comfort, and some even had upset stomachs.
Once the Code Red was lifted, we were able to get back to our party. The ice cream was melted, but the kids shook it off and had fun regardless. Fortunately, it was just a threat. I will forever be impressed by the teacher and how she held it together. After leaving, I couldn’t help but think what I could do to help her and other teachers in the event it (hopefully NEVER) happens again. And so the Code Red Comfort Pack was formed.
Check out the What’s In It page to find all the items we have put in the Code Red Comfort Pack.
Christina, mother to a 1st and 2nd grader