White Lake and Highland Parents Report Extra Security at Elementary Schools

When White Lake resident Meloney Lambert dropped off her two eight-year-old daughters at Lakewood Elementary in White Lake, she noted two police cars near the school - an increased security measure taken in the wake of Friday's shooting in Newtown, CT.

"My one daughter asked me, 'Why are the policeman here mommy?' at this point I (was) fighting back the tears trying to tell her that they are just doing their jobs driving around the schools," Lambert said.

"I am just so grateful that the White Lake Police Department decided to have officers at the school this morning," she said. "That made me feel so much better about my girls going to school."

Another parent, Gwennie Williams-Hernandez, said she kept her two kids home from school Monday.

"My husband and I just felt one day wouldn't hurt," she said. "I am taking a day to appreciate my little ones and enjoy them. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your kids even if it's taking a personal day. They grow (up) too fast, these days are occasionally needed."

Lambert said she too thought about keeping her kids home, "I was really thinking about keeping them home today, and I was even thinking about the option of home schooling over the weekend. I'm sure many parents (were) thinking the same things."

Because of the Sandy Hook shootings, school security has been a hot topic.

Donna Vanover Smolboski said, "A little extra security at all schools would not be a bad idea. Yes it happened in Connecticut but it could have been any school."

In a letter home to parents, Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jim Baker stressed the importance of providing a safe and secure environment for teachers and students, "The tragedy at Sandy Hook drove home the point that regardless of all these (security) activities, there are events that occur that are beyond our control. You have my commitment that we will continue to plan, practice and constantly evaluate our preparedness in order to maximize our students' safety and security."