“I had this realization that, for them, it’s so common. They’re so desensitized to these types of things at this point.”

Bethany Abramson, a parent with a child at Gorham High on witnessing the difference between her reaction of fear compared to students’ overwhelmingly calm reaction during a lockdown and ultimately dismissal from school following a hoax threat earlier this year.

So far this year, at least six incidents across the state have prompted nearby school buildings to secure in place or cancel classes for the day. Read more from education and public safety reporters Riley Board and Morgan Womack: How do Maine schools decide to go into lockdown?