At about 10:30 a.m. yesterday a brief lockdown drill was held at Turlock High School, alarming some parents who likely learned of the lockdown through text messages from their children.
Turlock Unified School District staff said their automated notification system did not phone or text parents regarding the lockdown, as it was a drill.
“It was a surprise lockdown drill so we don’t announce it before it happens, that way we can practice the drill correctly,” TUSD Superintendent Sonny Da Marto said.
Children are not allowed to use cell phones during school hours.
Within minutes of the drill, however, startled parents immediately turned to social media for answers about what was happening at the school. Concerned phone calls soon began flooding into THS and neighboring Julien Elementary School.
The lockdown drill lasted less than 15 minutes, at which time regular schooling resumed.
