In school-violence drills, classroom doors and windows are closed and locked. Shades are drawn. Lights are turned off.
Children huddle in corners and under desks.
Such drills have become more commonplace as concerns about safety grow, and many school officials believe the procedures in place at North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School may have saved lives Friday. He is charged with two counts of attempted homicide, seven counts of aggravated assault and weapons charges. The principal, Norina Bentzel, and two female teachers wrestled the man to the ground, holding him at bay until police arrived. School officials as a rule do not discuss specifics of their safety drills, saying the procedures need to be confidential in order to be effective. The children usually are instructed to take cover under desks or to gather in a corner and to stay put until instructed otherwise.