Happy reunion, with sad reality.

Not to be a scaremonger but there are horrific events in this country too. But not to dwell on what might happen.

You're very lucky to have seen your GC! I haven’t seen my GC in the US for well over two years now. Thank goodness for Zoom, though.

I’m not sure why you’d ask them about ‘drills’ at school, though. I’d ask the parents, if I wanted to know. I think it’s pretty obvious that schools in the US will have some sort of protocol for these situations. In California they also have earthquake drills. It’s all well-rehearsed.

It is a terrible thing to know children are having to live with such a threat to them, though.

With respect welbeck, I don't think you have quite grasped the OP's concerns. Yes, I agree with you that it is good to have such guidelines in place, but it is dreadful that they are needed in the first place, surely? I have school age relatives in US and I too worry about them, it is strange country which bans Kinder eggs as dangerous, but not guns, I was horrified to see children's school back packs being advertised which were made from the same material that Police bullet proof/stab vests are made of. How lovely it must have been for you to see your family after all this time Schnackie.

My grandchildren are in the USA. I wish they weren’t. Every day it seems there are children being shot, often by siblings who have found daddy’s gun. Heartbreaking.

i don't get why he would b horrified; it seems sensible planning to me, like fire drill. why would he prefer they not do this, ?
wouldn't that make the children more vulnerable.
also i'm a bit surprised that OP was pumping young children to talk about such things, i thought she meant she asked her children, ie AC, about it.
don't let your fears and anxieties infect young children.

DS in Queensland was horrified to learn of the 'fun game' his child played at Kindergarden that morning.
When the teacher locked the door, they all had to keep as quiet as mice and hide under the tables til she said they could come out.

He is 3.

DS checked it with his elder brother, now aged 5, who confirmed this had happened when he was there and then established that this was indeed a part of the school's safety policy.

That’s sounds dreadful schnackie, I worry enough when my grandchildren at high school here in the U.K. talk about police officers patrolling their school each day. The little ones here seem protected from that.
Seven and eight year olds having to be aware is so sad. I do wish the USA would do something about their gun control or lack of it.
I’m glad you got to visit them, that must have been lovely for you all.

How lovely that you got a visit to see the GC. There are so many things that children seem to have to learn about far too young isn't there? But I do like the way they use "uninvited visitors" - that covers many unpleasant scenarios that hopefully never happen.