New York Daily News – by Meg Wagner
This school encourages food fights.
An Alabama middle school asked students to bring canned goods to school so they can throw them at potential gunman.
W.F. Burns Middle School in Valley, Ala., said the tactic is part of the ALICE method, which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate, and teaches students what to do during a shooting.
Principal Priscella Holley sent a note home to parents Friday asking them to send their students back to class with an eight-ounce can of beans, corn, soup or any other food.
“We realize at first this may seem odd, however, it is a practice that would catch an intruder off-guard,” read a copy of the letter obtained by WHNT.“The canned food item could stun the intruder or even knock him out until police arrive. The canned good item will give the students a sense of empowerment to protect themselves and will make them feel secure in case an intruder enters the classroom.”
If the cans are never used, they will be donated to a local food pantry at the end of the school year, the letter explained.
Grade schools in 30 states and Auburn University use ALICE training,Superintendent of Chambers County Schools Kelli Hodge told WHNT.
“I can honestly say that the major point of the training … is to be able to get kids evacuated and not be sitting ducks hiding under desks,” she told the TV station.
The can-throwing is part of ALICE’s C stage, counter.
An educational video explained that students should fight back by running and throwing things instead of hiding.
RESPONSEOPTIONS VIA YOU TUBEALICE stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate. The can-throwing is part of the counter stage.“If there’s a gunman in your school, you’re allowed to throw things,” the video explained.
Canned goods aren’t entirely necessary though: staplers, textbooks, binders, lab beakers, shoes, chairs or music stands are all acceptable projectile, according to the video.
ALICE is part of new school safety guidelines ordered by the Department of Education in 2013.
“We hope the canned food items will never be used or needed, but it is best to be prepared,” Holley wrote in the letter.
Holley could not immediately be reached for comment.
Palestinians & rocks come to mind.