GBU Mountain News LXXV October 2, 2014 (PDF)

GBU Mountain News

GBU Mountain News

October 2, 2014 - LXXV
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independent - unbiased – professional
October 2, 2014 – LXXV

It is very good
not to see or hear anybody
- Lockdown Drill at two Mountain Schools -

by Gunnar J Kuepper
Minutes before the above image was taken, that
classroom was full of activity with more than twenty

children and teachers. A short time later there was an
eerie silence all over the Frazier Park Elementary School
and not a soul was seen either inside the classrooms or on
the campus. Just four law enforcement officers, the

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principal and a staff member were walking the grounds
and they were looking from the outside into every room
at the school. Every door was locked.
On Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. the
entire school went into “Lockdown.” The lockdown drill
was organized by Principal Keri St Jeor with the
assistance of district staff member Kevin Royal. For the
very first time in recent history representatives from three
different law enforcement agencies observed the
exercise.

4th grade did an outstanding job by not making any noises
and not moving at all. Even the students that were on
outside did hide at predetermined locations and kept
absolutely quiet.

There was an eerie silence and emptiness at the
Elementary School during the Lockdown Drill

Briefing at the Elementary School just before the
Lockdown drill with (L to R): Principal Keri St Jeor,
KCSO Sergeant Mark Bown, Officer Adriaan Garcia
and Sergeant Zach Emmons with the CHP

Sergeant Mark Brown with the Kern County Sheriff’s
Office had invited the California Highway Patrol (CHP),
represented by Sergeant Zach Emmons and Officer
Adriaan Garcia, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department represented by Gorman resident deputy John
DeYoung. After the school’s office had announced the
“lockdown” over their public announcement system each
teacher was tasked with locking the doors and making
the entire class “invisible” and absolutely “silent.” Every
class was behind locked doors and the classrooms looked
empty.
Teaching staff did an excellent job in hiding their
students in a variety of locations and in making
everybody disappear (for obvious reasons I do not
publicize what procedures, locations, instructions were
used to get the students “out of sight and out of place”).
During the drill, any intruder would have had a hard time
to get into any of the buildings or classrooms. In addition
it would have been nearly impossible for any intruder to
determine which room was empty and which one was
occupied. In addition the students from Kindergarten to

At the end Sergeant Brown was impressed by the
school’s overall performance. He commended one
teacher in particular who had bought drapes on it’s own
and had installed those in front of the classroom
windows. That installment made it impossible to look
into the classroom, for the law enforcement officers as
well as any potential Intruder.

After the drill the TK Children had an opportunity to
meet and high-five the “policemen” and had fun

After a visit and high-five with the Transitional
Kindergarten Class law enforcement and staffer Kevin
Royal went over to the El Tejon Middle School. The
group visited first the School District’s Office and made
themselves familiar with the rooms, exits, and staff at
that office via a walk-through. The District’s Office is on
the school’s campus but is a separate facility not
connected to the El Tejon Middle School. Sergeant

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Brown stressed that there is always the possibility that an
intruder also includes or even starts an attack at that
office building.
Afterwards the group walked the somewhat sprawling
vintage school campus with a variety of wings mostly
built in the 1940s. Around 11:15 a.m. the school’s office
also announced the “lockdown” for all students, teachers,
and administrative staff as well.

Long-time School District staffer Kevin Royal guides
law enforcement officers through the design and
buildings at El Tejon Middle School

The findings at the El Tejon Middle School resembled
those at the Elementary School. Every teacher and class
took the drill serious, protocols were followed, and the
classes went successfully into “lock and hide.” The
classrooms appeared “empty” by looking through the
windows, no noises or movements were noticed.
After the drill Kern County Sheriff’s Sergeant Mark
Brown had a debriefing with El Tejon Middle School
Principal Rosalie Jimenez and her administrative and
teaching staff. The principal’s office participated and
went into a lockdown mode as well.
Kern County Sheriff’s Sergeant Mark Brown emphasized
that there has been tremendous improvements in
procedures (and following those procedures) over the last
three years. A video clip of his statement can be seen at
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1531867680389
963&set=vb.1400308640212535&type=2&theater
The drills are conducted by the schools, and local law
enforcement has an advisory role. The drills and the
subsequent exchange of information and experience
between local law enforcement on one side and
administration and teachers on the other side has raised
awareness of a potential attack and a much better
understanding how those incidents can be mitigated.

Sergeant Mark Brown stressed that “by doing this drills
we learn from each other. Every time I observe one of
those exercises I learn something new…At the same time
I am glad to share our (law enforcement) experience and
procedures with the schools and the teachers. That way
we become much more resilient.”
The Officers from CHP and the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department were also very pleased with their
participation in the drill. They became much more
familiar with the outlay of both schools (thanks to Kevin
Royal), and saw first-hand the school’s procedures in
case of a lockdown. At the same time Sergeant Brown
with Kern County Sheriff’s Office discussed tactical
procedures and approaches with his counterparts from
CHP and Los Angeles County. The Kern County
Sheriff’s Office is the primary Law Enforcement agency
for all three schools of the El Tejon Unified School
District. However, in any major emergency, such as an
armed intruder or any shooting situation, all agencies will
respond simultaneously. And in case of the El Tejon
Middle School CHP Units from the nearby freeway may
be the first one’s to arrive.

Following the drill Sergeant Mark Brown (left)
and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy
John DeYoung (right) met with School Principal
Rosalie Jimenez and her office staff

Background School Shootings
School Shootings in the United States are documented
since the 1850s. For example, on November 2, 1853
student Matthew Ward brought a pistol to school in
Louisville, Kentucky and shot the schoolmaster to death.
Ward acted out of revenge for what he thought was
excessive punishment of his brother the day before.
Interestingly enough, the most recent school shooting on
Tuesday, September 30, 2014 took also place in

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Louisville Kentucky. One student was shot and injured at
Fern Creek Traditional High School around 1pm.
According to reports another student became enraged in a
hallway and pulled out a gun. The student was arrested
later that day.
However, mass school shootings have become more
common and more deadly in the past decades and
shootings rank among the deadliest shootings in the
United States.
On May 1, 1992 a 20-year-old shooter killed four and
wounded ten in an armed siege at Lindhurst High School
in Olivehurst, CA. On March 24, 1998, two boys, 11 and
13 years old, killed five and wounded ten others at
Westside Middle School in Craighead County, Arkansas
after setting off the fire alarm. The infamous shooting at
Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado on April
20, 1999 left 15 people dead and 21 wounded. In 2007,
the deadliest mass shooting in the US occurred at
Virginia Tech, leaving 33 people dead. The second
deadliest shooting took place in December of 2012 at
Sandy Hook Elementary School. 26 people were killed
— 20 of whom were children.
Preparation and Drills
Preparation, as it has always been, is the key to success
and to achieving a high level of school safety and
security. The vast majority of students will never
experience a fire at their school, but because of the drills
measthey know how to react to one. The same should be
true of incidents that involve armed intruder(s) with
harmful intentions coming onto school grounds.
It is without any doubt the responsibility of any school to
give its students and teachers the information and
procedures that could save their lives in a school
shooting incident. Schools should be safe havens for
students. But the “safe haven” concept is just an illusion.
Therefore schools must prepare children for the hazards
in the world they live in, and those threats include fires,
earthquakes, floods, and also armed intruders.
####

School Safety & Security
throughout the U.S.

Measures

In the 2011–12 school year, 88 percent of public schools
reported that they controlled access to school buildings
by locking or monitoring doors during school hours.
Other safety and security measures frequently reported
by public schools included the use of security cameras to
monitor the school (64 percent) and the enforcement of a
strict dress code (49 percent). In addition, 44 percent of
public schools reported that they controlled access to

school grounds by locking or monitoring gates during
school hours, 24 percent reported the use of random dog
sniffs to check for drugs, and 19 percent required that
students wear uniforms.
Other security measures at public and private schools
include requiring that students wear badges or picture
IDs; requiring that book bags be clear or banning them
from school; conducting metal detector checks on
students (including both random and daily checks); and
conducting random sweeps for contraband.
In the 2009-2010 school year, 33 school-associated
violent deaths occurred including homicides, suicides,
and legal interventions. 18 of these occurred on school
property.
In 2011, 20% of high school students were bullied at
school, and 33% reported being involved in a physical
fight.
More than 7% of 9th through 12th graders reported being
threatened or injured with a weapon on school property
at least once in the last year. An additional 6% admitted
to bringing a weapon to school for protection.
Risk factors for youth violence include violent histories,
drug or alcohol use, poverty in the community, poor
grades, association with troubled peers, and troublesome
homelife.
####

RUN – HIDE - FIGHT
RUN - when an active shooter is in your vicinity:
 If there is an escape path, attempt to evacuate
 Evacuate whether others agree or not
 Leave your belongings behind
 Help others escape if possible
 Prevent others from entering the area
 Call 911 when you are safe
HIDE - if evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide:
 Lock and/or blockade the door
 Silence your cell phone
 Hide behind large objects
 Remain very quiet
FIGHT - as a last resort, and only if your life is in
danger:
 Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
 Act with physical aggression
 Improvise weapons
 Commit to your actions
Run - Hide - Fight: Surviving an Active Shooter Event:
educational video at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0

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Content
1. It is very good not to see or hear anybody –
Lockdown Drill at two Mountain Schools by Gunnar
J Kuepper
2. All Things Local
 Important Phone Numbers
 Upcoming Events
 Letters to the Editor
 Gorman School Fun Run & Car Wash Fundraiser
 Sabrina Rouser: Candidate for the El Tejon
Unified School District’s Board of Trustees
 Misty Johnston: Candidate for the El Tejon
Unified School District’s Board of Trustees
3. All Things Regional
 California bans single-use plastic bags statewide
4. All Things Global
 War Propaganda: Be Aware by Gunnar J
Kuepper
 Ebola Outbreak – First Case of Ebola in the U.S.
 Current Threats to World Peace & Global
Stability
o Russian - Ukrainian Crisis
o ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria)
o Israel - Palestine Conflict
o Socioeconomic & Political Consequences of
Global Climate Changes
o 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
o Known Unknowns
o Unknown Unknowns
5. People
6. Law Enforcement Corner
 Kern County Sheriff’s Office – Frazier Park
Incident Log September 17 - 24
 Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD)
 California Highway Patrol
 Bakersfield Police Department (BPD)
7. Cooking & Food
 Viennese Cutlet (Wiener Schnitzel)
8. Animals Matter
9. Our Library
 The Frazier Park Library needs your Help –
Marie Smith needs LEGO bricks!

10. Incidents & Accidents - Homicides, Arrests, Traffic
Accidents, Fires & Rescues throughout Kern County
11. Arts – Music – Theatre
12. Business Affairs
 Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce
announces Positions on November Ballot
Measures
13. Teens
14. Nature, Science & Technology
15. Weather
 Frazier Park Weather Forecast
16. Kern County
 Board of Supervisors Meetings
17. Safety & Disaster Preparedness
18. Media Affairs
 Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update
19. Where to Go – What to Do
20. Op-Ed
21. Health & Fitness
22. Classifieds
 Job Openings

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October 2, 2014 - LXXV
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Capture the Beauty
Portraits by Gunnar J Kuepper

Please contact me for details and rates (661)- 487- 1655

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All Things Local

Gorman School Fun Run & Car Wash
Fundraiser

Important Phone Numbers
Fire
911
Ambulance
911
Sheriff or CHP
911

Info & Photos provided by Michi Knight

Frazier Park Sheriff Station
661-245-3440
Southern California Edison
800-655-4555
Southern California Gas
800-427-2200
Pacific Gas & Electric (PGE)
800-743-5000
El Tejon Unified School District 661-248-6247
Frazier Park Library
661-245-1267
Supervisor David Couch
661-868-3680
Fire Station 56 (Lebec)
661-248-6426
Fire Station 57 (Frazier Park)
661-245-3706
Dentist Porazik, Lebec
661-245-1434
The Photographer (fires, accidents, weddings, & all other disasters)
661-487-1655

On Friday, September 26, 2014 the Gorman School
hosted a Fun Run (to raise $ for the PTSO) and the
5th/6th grade did a car wash to send them to Camp KEEP
in May).
The kids had a blast at both events. The TK (Transitional
Kindergarten) to 3rd graders ran laps around our
basketball court for 20 minutes, and the upper grade ran
around the entire field.

Upcoming Events in the Frazier Mountain
Communities


October 17 (Friday): “School Board Candidates
Forum” at the Frazier Park Library: 5 – 7 pm
 October 18 (Saturday):
o Rotary Festival of Books at the Frazier
Mountain Park Community Center: 9 am – 1
pm
o Free Community Dinner at the Frazier
Mountain Park Community Center: 4 – 6 pm
 October 26: Zombie Fest in Frazier Park
 November 16: Classical Piano with Andrew Wong
in Gorman
####

So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief
that the only thing we have to fear is...fear
itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified
terror which paralyzes needed efforts to
convert retreat into advance.
Franklin D Roosevelt
Inaugural speech March 4, 1933

Mrs. St. Clair, our wonderful new teacher, led the
younger kids in a spontaneous Zumba session as well.
This was after she ran the entire time, along with her
hubby.

The car wash was a great exercise in teamwork: about
twelve 5th/6th graders washed cars and were aided by
parents, siblings and teachers, including our great new
5th/6th teacher, Miss Hanshaw. One great comment by
new 5th grader, Piper Deese-Evans: "I thought it was
going to be a lot of work, but this is awesome! I am

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having so much fun!" It actually was a lot of work, AND
a lot of fun.
####

Sabrina Rouser: Candidate for the El
Tejon Unified School District’s Board of
Trustees
Definition of Success: to "Teach",
and "Enable", our kids to have,
"Hope" in their futures...from the
strength of Parent involvement,
diligent Teachers, and Board
support. I want to be a part of this
plan. I have great hopes for the
dreams and futures of our kids.
####

Misty Johnson: Candidate for the El
Tejon Unified School District’s Board of
Trustees
My husband Jeff and I relocated to Lebec almost 10
years ago. We have two children, our daughter graduated
in 2011 and our son is currently enrolled at Frazier
Mountain
High School.
It is my desire
to help others
to
think
outside
the
box, when it
comes
to
revisiting the
issue
of
increasing our
Average Daily Attendance (ADA) and bringing in new
students while also focusing on bringing those back that
were a part of our schools at one time. My focus is on
bringing only the best educational process to El Tejon
Unified School District (ETUSD), while collaborating
with all groups, students and employees to achieve the
very best for the entire district. I understand coming
together as a community in support of our district has
been a problem in the past and I hope those days are
behind us. My hope is that we can move forward to bring
positive changes to our district and I will work very hard
to bring a new vision with many new dreams.

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