Student Creates Classroom Emergency Kit for Lockdowns: Promoting Safety and Calm

AKRON, Ohio — The alarming rise in incidents of gun violence in schools has become an unsettling reality for both students and teachers. With a record number of school shootings reported across the country in 2022, 2023 is projected to surpass that figure.

To prepare students for potential threats and ensure their safety during lockdowns, a recent high school graduate has taken the initiative to assist them in staying calm during these distressing situations.

Abigail Gibbons, a high school senior from Akron, recognized the need to address these concerns and has designed a comprehensive kit specifically tailored for classroom lockdowns.

As she navigates the halls of Akron STEM High School, Gibbons carries with her the knowledge gained since her elementary school days. Reflecting on the changes over the years, she remarks, "The workload may have increased, but that is not the only transformation that has occurred."

She further elaborates, "One constantly feels the need to be vigilant and watchful over oneself. While we have security measures and police presence in our school, they cannot be everywhere simultaneously."

Gibbons experienced her first school lockdown during her freshman year. She explains the procedures, saying, "Essentially, we are instructed to take cover and hide away from all sources of light. We huddle together in a corner, fully aware of the gravity of the situation."

According to data from the K-12 School Shooting Database, the number of individuals wounded or killed due to gunfire on school campuses surpassed 273 last year, with over 115 casualties reported thus far in 2023.

Gibbons expresses her frustration, stating, "It saddens me to witness younger students being featured in the news, as they bear the lifelong trauma resulting from such incidents."

Motivated by this realization, Gibbons embarked on creating a practical resource that teachers can utilize to alleviate students' anxiety during lockdowns. She sought to develop an easily recognizable acronym, explaining, "I wanted to create the term 'SECK,' which stands for 'Safety Emergency Classroom Kit.' This way, individuals can associate the acronym with its purpose."

The SECK kit serves as Gibbons' capstone project for her senior year. It comprises various items, including fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, and Hot Hands heat packs. Gibbons discovered that heat has a calming effect on children, thus incorporating this element into the kit.

Numerous suggestions for the kit's contents were provided by her mother, a speech therapist at the school, and her colleagues, who thoughtfully considered the needs of students with special requirements. Gibbons explains, "By providing them with a focal point, it redirects their attention away from their immediate surroundings."

Every item in the kit serves a purpose, and even the storage container has been designed with functionality in mind, doubling as a portable toilet. Gibbons elaborates, "The container comes with lined trash bags that fit inside, allowing students to use the restroom during prolonged emergencies."

Brianne Remenaric, an intervention specialist at Akron STEM High School, witnesses firsthand the mental health impact of lockdown drills. She observes, "Once we conclude the drill and remove the chairs from barricading the doors, you can observe that students require time to decompress."

Remenaric plans to utilize Gibbons' SECK prototype in her own classroom, affirming the need for more students like Gibbons to take initiative and devise innovative ideas. She adds, "We can only hope that we never have to implement these kits, but it is essential to have them available."

Gibbons, aspiring to study civil engineering at the University of Akron, aims to make Safety Emergency Classroom Kits accessible in classrooms ranging from elementary to college levels. She concludes, "While I cannot prevent individuals from taking harmful actions, I can, at the very least, provide them with a sense of comfort."

With her admirable dedication to student safety, Gibbons exemplifies the proactive approach necessary to address the prevailing concerns regarding school lockdowns. Her vision of ensuring the widespread availability of Safety Emergency Classroom Kits demonstrates her commitment to fostering a secure learning environment.