I didn’t expect to, but I got in. After walking over the playground and almost completely around Perry Browne Intermediate School in Norwich shortly after 9 a.m. on Nov. 6, and ducking under at least one classroom window to avoid being detected - trying 13 doors along the way - one of the school’s doorknobs actually turned.

I let myself in, heard voices, attempted to go right or left to avoid being detected, but was forced to proceed through the entrance straight ahead. Two staff workers looked at me and said, “Hello.” I smiled, briefly glanced in their direction, returned the greeting and kept on walking like I knew where I was going.

I couldn’t believe that I succeeded. I was actually very surprised and somewhat nervous. During the three years that my son attended Perry Browne, I had never gotten past the main office without being questioned. When I knew my visit would be quick, I sometimes even tried to go through the kid’s entrance to sneak around the office. Those office gals nabbed me every time.