At Grant Union High School, the threat of school shootings has turned classrooms into places of fear, leaving lasting effects on students’ mental health.

Grant has faced a troubling series of incidents and threats that have significantly impacted the school community’s sense of safety and emotional well-being, according to students, staff and alumni.

On Jan. 30, 2024, Grant went into an emergency lockdown after a student was shot in the arm in the school’s parking lot during classes. The 14-year-old suspect was quickly apprehended and the victim survived after being taken to the hospital.

Students described the experience as stressful and some expressed frustration at how such dangerous events are becoming normalized. Psychologists and counselors were made available to students and staff afterward.

In addition to these incidents, students and parents report a grim pattern of repeated threats and violence. In early 2024, multiple lockdowns were triggered by rumors and localized violence, prompting calls from families for more effective preventive measures.

School shootings can be a very disconcerting  and uncomfortable thing that students can face. During school, student mental health plays a big role in the way they are able to learn and communicate. 

An informal survey conducted by SacSchoolBeat in late August shows the majority of Grant students have a neutral opinion on whether they feel safe on campus. The survey received more than 50 responses. Studies also show that when lockdowns or threats happen at school, it makes it hard for students to focus in class and causes them to feel unsafe.

Teachers, staff and students at Grant have expressed how recent school shootings or school threats affect the way they feel on campus. 

Alexander Putman, who teaches chemistry and is an Air Force veteran, said the threats don’t affect him the same way it does civilians.

 “For me, I’m very neutral on that one,” Putman said. “It doesn’t affect me. 
I don’t respond to that type of threat agency the same way that … most civilians would. After spending 26 years in the military, that type of threat to my life is built in.”

School counselor Adrian Booth said that, as a graduate of Grant, he feels  “used to” it.

“I may be guilty, as well, of having a lower level of sensitivity,” Booth said. “I attended Grant High School as a student. I was born and raised in the surrounding community around Grant. And I have been involved in these incidents from different perspectives, from a student’s perspective, from a parent’s  perspective, from a staff member’s perspective, and when these things happen over time, so frequently, there is a callus that builds up to where I’m not as sensitive to it now as one would (ordinarily be).”

It’s not just the actual shooting that affects student mental health. It’s the lockdown itself, or even just the thought of an armed intruder on campus.

Grant’s teacher/librarian Tiffany Shepherd said she thinks some students find the entire situation terrifying.

“I think it’s probably a mixed bag,” Shepherd said. “I think that there are some kids who are from communities like ours, who are largely desensitized to gun violence, which also shouldn’t be. No child should be desensitized to gun violence. But I think we have some kids for whom it’s absolutely terrifying. And again, the thing I get upset about is that no kid should have to be afraid to come to school.”

Teachers disagreed about whether Grant has enough support systems for students after an incident. Putman defends Grant’s support systems by saying he knows that Grant has counseling resources.

“I do know that Grant does have psychologists on site,” Putman said. “So if students are feeling an effect of a particular one, I believe that counseling resources do exist on campus for them to talk about it.” 

Shepherd said there aren’t enough resources. 

 “I think Grant probably has more resources than most schools,” Shepherd said. “But I also think if you’ve got 2,000 kids impacted by an event and you have  four grief counselors coming from the district, it’s never going to be enough. And a lot of the kids who need it are never going to come forth and ask for it.” 

Booth said the school has sufficient resources, but those resources can be strained.

“We have more mental health resources available to our students than I’m aware of at any other local area high school,” Booth said. “So we have the resources. They’re just so many incidents that take place. Those incidents strain the (system).”

Students said Grant provides enough mental health support after incidents of violence or threats, but many said more security presence would make them feel safer and supported at school. 

“School shootings, threats or lock-downs make me feel anxious and confused due to the fact that I’m trying to gather all the information as to why this situation is happening,” said one student who asked to remain anonymous.

“It affects my mental health and also scares families around the neighborhood,” said a male student who also did not want his name used in this story.