Groton Students Taught To Evacuate School During Active Shooter Scenario

GROTON (CBS) - Groton police officer Rachael Mead is now patrolling the halls in the school district and students have noticed. "The first couple of days they were 'why are you here' because it was new," said Mead.

Since school started in September she's a constant presence as the district has beefed up its options in responding to a new vocabulary, "active shooter".

"You want to give power to the people in the classroom," said Karen Tuomi, the school safety and security coordinator.

Tragic mass shootings from Columbine to Sandy Hook to last week in Oregon have schools rethinking how they'll respond to an armed intruder. It's a departure from the traditional school lockdown procedure which is keeping students in the classroom and simply locking the door.

"We've really taught our kids it's okay to evacuate and run and hide in the woods, and things like that if God forbid something should happen they would know what to do," said Officer Mead.

There's better marking of locations around the school should running become an option. Drills on how to respond to "active shooters" have been carried out at the town's schools.

"It's not just sitting there and waiting, it's reacting and listening to what's going on," said Tuomi.

Some parents believe it makes the students less afraid. "I think it does make the kids feel more comfortable if they hear they have a plan and teachers know what to do," said parent Judy Cote.

Tuomi says they've learned that small towns are not immune from the violence.