Howard Hosted 'A Parents Role During a School Lockdown' Conversation

NORTH STONINGTON — State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43rd District) held a community conversation for a few dozen parents with public safety leaders, social workers, and school professionals about how they can best support their children during and after a school lockdown.

Rep. Howard said, “As both a legislator and a police detective, I’ve seen firsthand how critical clear communication is during a crisis. Parents, educators, and first responders all want the same thing—to keep our kids safe. When we understand each other’s roles and trust the process, we reduce confusion, improve response, and help our children feel more secure during a difficult moment.”

The forum was held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Commons at Wheeler Middle/High School.

Howard, who is also a veteran Stonington police detective, moderated a panel with Ledyard Police Chief John Rich; Kerry Browning, a retired Stonington police youth officer; Ledyard Superintendent of Schools Jay Hartling; North Stonington Superintendent of Schools Troy Hopkins; licensed clinical social worker Kiley Young from the Connecticut Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation; as well as two members of the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security—Supervisor Terron Jones and Region 4 Coordinator Mike Caplet.

The conversation focused on ways to reduce confusion and mixed messages during school lockdowns while protecting student and staff safety, improving response times, preventing the spread of rumors and misinformation, and supporting law enforcement and first responders.

Panel members also discussed strategies to help provide emotional readiness for staff and students, ensure consistency across school communities, and build trust with families to improve outcomes after a crisis.

The message reiterated by every member of the panel Tuesday night was that communication is key—the school will always do its best to communicate with parents, and parents need to allow schools and law enforcement to do their job without added panic or distractions. Parents also need to have honest conversations with their children regarding these lockdowns.