As a new school year began, a new emergency protocol was unveiled to students and staff.  These procedures and changes were reviewed with teachers prior to students arrival for the year, and practiced twice within the first two weeks of school.

Social studies teacher Mrs. Jess Siegel was one of  the teachers involved in revamping the evacuation procedures.   “The fire drill the school had in place seemed okay, but when an actual emergency came whether we were prepared or not, it didn’t appear that way.  I, as a teacher, did not feel safe or prepared for if something were to happen unexpectedly,” Siegel explains.

“The school had a past procedure when it was really cold outside and we had to evacuate and guide all 1400 students to either the middle or elementary schools and we had no idea what was going on,” Siegel describes.  “It was ninth and eleventh graders going to the elementary school, and tenth and twelfth graders to the middle school.”

Seigel is getting her  Master’s Degree in Administration and she had to complete a project that incorporated a way to hopefully benefit the school.  She added that “this was just one of my things, I felt, especially being a parent, I had to do to allow students to feel physically safe in the building.” Siegel continues, “As of right now, the newly-created procedure is set for anything that is not planned or when we find out that we will be outside for an extended period of time like we were last year during a surprising electrical fire.”  

When asked if the practice drill went as she expected it would she replied , “The spot for my homeroom is all the way at the top of the stadium, so I got to see it coordinated and it actually went smoother than I thought,” Siegel answers.  “Of course, with anything, it has some flaws.”

Siegel said that when she presented her evacuation plan idea to the administrators, they all seemed excited and willing to work with her.  Many in the Social Studies department agreed that having a plan is a positive. “It is nice knowing that you have a spot to go to in an emergency.”    Mr. Mike Auth added, “It is nice to be prepared. The plan is great and we will work out any kinks in the meantime.”