How Silver Creek students and staff responded to the run, hide, defend drill.

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—At Silver Creek High School, students and staff had recently experienced another run, hide, defend drill last month, leaving a few students to wonder how others responded to the drill.

At Silver Creek High School, teachers and staff annually reintroduce students to the run, hide, defend drill. This drill is a representation to show students what they should and are recommended to do when there is a potential threat on the school campus. Whether it is a misunderstanding or actual danger, students should always be prepared and know what to do no matter the situation.

Iree Salido is a freshman who has experienced her first run, hide, defend drill this year. She stated that during the drill “everyone in the classroom was happy to not be working and weren’t taking the drill seriously.” Salido believes students should take this drill seriously because they “need to know what to do during any kind of dangerous situation.”

Allison Liang, a biology teacher and science department chair at Silver Creek stated that her class “did very well…they were fantastic and don’t need improvements.” Since she teaches biology, she stated that her “large science benches allow the majority of the class to hide behind.” Liang believes that students should take these drills more seriously “because they, unfortunately, simulate a real threat.”

One of Silver Creek’s sophomores, May Vu, states that “it’s scary that we even have to do run, hide, defend drills” and that “until gun control policies are passed and enforced, the best we can do is learn how to stay safe and protect others in case it happens on our own campus.” They also stated their own experience, explaining how “it’s boring at the moment for sure and definitely not the most comfortable experience.” Vu also believes that “it’s an unfortunate reality of school in the United States.”

Another freshman student, Brandyn Ngo, believes that students should care about the practice “because it can truly save our lives in the event of an emergency…I firmly believe that everyone should listen and not joke around when instructions are given.” Ngo also stated that his experience was an “incredible run, hide, and defend experience since everyone was focused and calm.” 

Run, hide, defend drills have been successful in helping students protect themselves and others during life-threatening situations. The drill has played a significant part in strengthening safety procedures in schools nationwide. By educating students and giving them the skills and knowledge they’ll need to respond to these types of situations, we could lessen the number of victims killed in school shootings. This is the main reason why students should see these drills as an influential and significant practice, instead of a waste of time.