Sandy Creek Central School District Students Practice Evacuation Procedures

Sandy Creek Central School District students now know what to do in case of an emergency evacuation at the school.

With coordination from local businesses, municipalities and fire departments, an evacuation drill was held Sept. 18.

The building was evacuated, and students, along with staff, walked down Academy Street before being called to their afternoon buses lined up on Salisbury Street.

Both streets were shut down during the 45-minute drill to ensure the practice run went smoothly.

High School Principal Maureen Shiel said the annual event refreshes students and staff on procedures to follow in case of an emergency such as a bomb threat, gas leak, or another potential danger.

“It’s good to practice that so kids are trained, and staff knows what to do,” she said.

Extra spots on buses were filled with walkers so all students could practice safe evacuation procedures.

Buses took students around the block during the test run, but Shiel said in the event of a real emergency walking or busing of students would be assigned as follows:

Pre-kindergarten through second grade would go to the town hall, third through fifth graders would go to the Lacona Fire Department, and sixth through 12th graders would go to the Sandy Creek Fire Department.

All students would remain at those locations until further notice.

Shiel said if and when an evacuation occurs, the school would send a message out to all parents via the school’s communications system currently in place for district-wide messages.

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