( CNN ) When is a can of beans more than just a can of beans ? When it 's a weapon of self-defense for students to throw at an armed intruder who has just entered their school . That 's one scenario Valley , Alabama , officials are considering as part of their training to respond to school shootings . Though it may strike some as an insignificant and perhaps even silly response to a deadly problem , it 's no joke at W.F . Burns Middle School . It 's part of active shooter response training offered by the ALICE Training Institute , a company founded by a former police officer and former elementary school principal . School officials have gotten some criticism for sending a letter to parents asking students to bring canned goods to attack would-be intruders . `` We realize at first this may seem odd ; however , it is a practice that would catch an intruder off-guard , '' the letter reads , according to CNN affiliate WRBL . `` The canned food item could stun the intruder or even knock him out until the police arrive . The canned food 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 . '' Chambers County School Superintendent Kelli Moore Hodge acknowledges that the middle school did n't educate people properly before sending the letter home , but she says the cans are a very small part of the training . `` The major point of the training ( which is called ALICE - Alert , lockdown , inform , counter , and evacuate ) is to be able to get kids evacuated and not be sitting ducks hiding under desks , '' Hodge wrote in an email . Even if you ca n't escape and are barricaded behind closed doors to avoid the shooter , there are still steps to take to increase your safety , suggests an Auburn University ALICE video . Auburn is providing the training to the school district . Once the door has been locked and barricaded and students have moved to an area out of sight , students should have a plan if the attacker breaks into the room . That 's when canned goods and other classroom items come into play . `` Start gathering several items you can use to protect yourself . Every room has something you can use to distract and defend from the aggressors ' attack , '' says the Auburn video 's narrator . `` Communicate with others around you and tell them your plan . Do n't wait until the aggressor gets into your safe area to have a plan of action . '' Students can throw books , book bags , computers and , yes , those canned goods to distract any aggressor .
Alabama students were asked to bring canned goods for school security . Cans or other heavy items could be used to fight school shooters . It 's part of a larger school district plan to empower students .