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CNN Live Today

Talk with Principal of Tasker Middle School

Aired October 28, 2002 - 11:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: As life gets back to normal, no code blue security conditions and recess outdoors. How about that? Schools in the D.C. area getting back to normal after the terror caused by the sniper attacks. At one school, in particular, it might take a little longer to recover.
John Lloyd, joining me now, principal of Benjamin Tasker Middle School. That is where the 13-year-old student was shot and critically wounded, and I believe, Mr. Lloyd, if I'm correct, it was three weeks ago today. It was a little earlier than now, about 8:30 in the morning, as he was being dropped off.

JOHN LLOYD, PRINCIPAL, BENJAMIN TASKER MIDDLE SCHOOL: Yes, the 7th of October.

KAGAN: I know we're not revealing his identity, and he does continue to recover, but can you tell us how he's doing?

LLOYD: I believe he's in serious condition now, which is an upgrade from critical. And, of course, everything that we hear is that he is going to recover from the wound.

KAGAN: And that is good news indeed.

LLOYD: It's great news, certainly very good for the staff and students. Students have been very concerned.

KAGAN: Tell me what school was like this morning as it opened up. Very different than it's been the last three weeks, I imagine.

LLOYD: Very light atmosphere. Smiles. Of course, smiles have been on the face before, but I believe they were a bit forced. But Thursday, Friday, and this morning, just a light atmosphere, students greeting one another, teachers, not a forced smile, but a sincere smile and a good morning, did you have a good weekend? Those were the questions asked. Absolutely amazing.

KAGAN: Give us an idea of what schools's been like there the last few weeks, code blue.

LLOYD: It's very difficult when you have to keep the students in. Being in middle school, of course we don't do recess.

KAGAN: But you're talking sixth, seventh and 8th graders, right?

LLOYD: Seventh and eight graders.

KAGAN: These are kids with a lot of energy.

LLOYD: A lot.

KAGAN: A lot.

LLOYD: And they depend on phys-ed to release whatever energy they might have. And it's been difficult in school with the students having to remain in the gym for, well, what turned out to be 14 days, 15 days.

KAGAN: You have had a particular challenge at your school, because over the past few weeks, we have talked about how kids are scared, but kids at your school, this was a reality. They knew that violence could come right to the doorstep of their school. How have you dealt with those fears?

LLOYD: Well, we've kept the lines of communication open with the students from the very first day throughout the first week, the second week and a little bit into last week. The guidance counselors were present. They visited the classrooms, asked if anyone needed to speak to them, and share whatever might be on their mind, trying to put them at ease, make them feel comfortable, that they felt safe enough there to do what is expected of them at school, and of course that is to learn, go to class, be prepared.

KAGAN: What have they been doing to support their classmates, their schoolmates, particularly the one that was shot.

LLOYD: A lot of cards, a lot of letters have been sent. We delivered them on Friday. A lot of letters. A lot of letters not only from my student at Tasker, but from around the nation, e-mails from all over the world, U.K., Australia. It's amazing.

KAGAN: How has it changed the school and how has changed you as a principal?

LLOYD: Well, You certainly don't want to take anything for granted. I think three weeks ago. I would have said a nice, quiet community of Bowie, it wouldn't happen, never, and, of course, it certainly did. And it opened your eyes, makes you want to be vigilant, makes you want to be cognizant, as we try to be, of all of the areas surrounding the school. You just never know.

KAGAN: We wish you a most normal day.

LLOYD: Thank you.

KAGAN: At Tasker Middle School, which is in Prince George's County. I learned from my three weeks up here, if you are local here, you call it P.G. County. John Lloyd, principal of Tasker Middle School, thank you so much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired October 28, 2002 - 11:15   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: As life gets back to normal, no code blue security conditions and recess outdoors. How about that? Schools in the D.C. area getting back to normal after the terror caused by the sniper attacks. At one school, in particular, it might take a little longer to recover.
John Lloyd, joining me now, principal of Benjamin Tasker Middle School. That is where the 13-year-old student was shot and critically wounded, and I believe, Mr. Lloyd, if I'm correct, it was three weeks ago today. It was a little earlier than now, about 8:30 in the morning, as he was being dropped off.

JOHN LLOYD, PRINCIPAL, BENJAMIN TASKER MIDDLE SCHOOL: Yes, the 7th of October.

KAGAN: I know we're not revealing his identity, and he does continue to recover, but can you tell us how he's doing?

LLOYD: I believe he's in serious condition now, which is an upgrade from critical. And, of course, everything that we hear is that he is going to recover from the wound.

KAGAN: And that is good news indeed.

LLOYD: It's great news, certainly very good for the staff and students. Students have been very concerned.

KAGAN: Tell me what school was like this morning as it opened up. Very different than it's been the last three weeks, I imagine.

LLOYD: Very light atmosphere. Smiles. Of course, smiles have been on the face before, but I believe they were a bit forced. But Thursday, Friday, and this morning, just a light atmosphere, students greeting one another, teachers, not a forced smile, but a sincere smile and a good morning, did you have a good weekend? Those were the questions asked. Absolutely amazing.

KAGAN: Give us an idea of what schools's been like there the last few weeks, code blue.

LLOYD: It's very difficult when you have to keep the students in. Being in middle school, of course we don't do recess.

KAGAN: But you're talking sixth, seventh and 8th graders, right?

LLOYD: Seventh and eight graders.

KAGAN: These are kids with a lot of energy.

LLOYD: A lot.

KAGAN: A lot.

LLOYD: And they depend on phys-ed to release whatever energy they might have. And it's been difficult in school with the students having to remain in the gym for, well, what turned out to be 14 days, 15 days.

KAGAN: You have had a particular challenge at your school, because over the past few weeks, we have talked about how kids are scared, but kids at your school, this was a reality. They knew that violence could come right to the doorstep of their school. How have you dealt with those fears?

LLOYD: Well, we've kept the lines of communication open with the students from the very first day throughout the first week, the second week and a little bit into last week. The guidance counselors were present. They visited the classrooms, asked if anyone needed to speak to them, and share whatever might be on their mind, trying to put them at ease, make them feel comfortable, that they felt safe enough there to do what is expected of them at school, and of course that is to learn, go to class, be prepared.

KAGAN: What have they been doing to support their classmates, their schoolmates, particularly the one that was shot.

LLOYD: A lot of cards, a lot of letters have been sent. We delivered them on Friday. A lot of letters. A lot of letters not only from my student at Tasker, but from around the nation, e-mails from all over the world, U.K., Australia. It's amazing.

KAGAN: How has it changed the school and how has changed you as a principal?

LLOYD: Well, You certainly don't want to take anything for granted. I think three weeks ago. I would have said a nice, quiet community of Bowie, it wouldn't happen, never, and, of course, it certainly did. And it opened your eyes, makes you want to be vigilant, makes you want to be cognizant, as we try to be, of all of the areas surrounding the school. You just never know.

KAGAN: We wish you a most normal day.

LLOYD: Thank you.

KAGAN: At Tasker Middle School, which is in Prince George's County. I learned from my three weeks up here, if you are local here, you call it P.G. County. John Lloyd, principal of Tasker Middle School, thank you so much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com