Students at Plant High School in Tampa participated in a lock down and evacuation drill Tuesday morning.

As part of the drill, students were asked to take cover, lock their doors and stay quiet. Then, teachers led students through an evacuation drill.

Plant High student Rachel Hirsch was happy about the drill.

She said since the shootings in South Florida, the mood has definitely changed at her school.

"Someone like popped a chip bag today (Tuesday) and everyone freaked out and was like, 'What's that noise?" Hirsch said. "It's like everyone is on edge more than they were before."

Now, Hirsch said she sees the principals at her school walking the halls more, and teachers are keeping their doors locked during classes.

Hirsch said some students laughed about the morning drill and called it a waste of time.

"It kind of made me mad when kids joked about it afterwards," Hirsch said. "I'm like, 'It's not something you joke about when 17 kids were killed in high school.'"

School leaders agreed that the drills are no laughing matter. And while some parents may be concerned the drills are happening too soon, the superintendent said with the possibility of copycats, kids need to know what to do right now.

"We want to make sure we do everything in a more timely manner to make sure everyone has the proper procedure, and proper protocols," said Superintendent Jeff Eakins.

Hirsch said she feels good that the school district is taking action, but she said she would feel a lot safer if there were more officers at her school.