US students asked to bring canned goods to school in case of shootings

A principal at a US middle school has written a letter to parents urging them to send their children to school with canned goods to use as weapons in case of a school shooting.

The head of W.F. Burns Middle School in Valley, Alabama said the tactic is part of the ALICE method which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate, and advises students on what to do in case their school comes under attack.

Principal Priscilla Holley sent the letter to parents on Friday asking them to arm their children with eight-ounce cans of soup and beans.

"We realize at first this may seem odd, however, it is a practice that would catch an intruder off-guard," Ms Holley said in her letter obtained by local TV station WHNT.

"The canned food item could stun the intruder or even knock him out until police arrive. The canned good item will give the students a sense of empowerment to protect themselves and will make them feel secure in case an intruder enters the classroom."

If the cans were not used to avert a tragedy by the end of the year they would be donated to a local food pantry, she promised.

Under the 'counter' part of the ALICE philosophy students are advised to throw things at school shooters.

Canned goods would be ideal but an instructional video shows students throwing books, staplers, chairs and other easily accessible items.

"We hope the canned food items will never be used or needed, but it is best to be prepared," Holley wrote in the letter.