Yearly school safety procedures are to be expected by all students and staff at Shores. These procedures include six fire drills, two shelter-in-place drills, and an occasional evacuation drill.

And on Sept. 29, after a delay from Sept. 27 due to poor weather, Shores conducted an evacuation drill. Principal Jennifer Bustard said she is proud of the drill’s outcome.

           
“I’m very confident that in the event of something happening, we would all get over to the churches safely,” Bustard said.

The drill, at the beginning of second hour, started with the fire alarm sounding, forcing students and school personnel to leave the building. After everyone was accounted for, classes proceeded to one of the two churches across the street from the high school.

After a short while, students and staff were then released to return to second hour.

           
Stressing the importance of practicing drills every year, Bustard explained why carrying out the drills proficiently is necessary.

           
“The Columbine Shooting and 9/11 was a calling out to public schools to have a plan. This is why required safety drills each year are important to practice,” Bustard said.

           
Bustard was not the only staff person to feel confident about the evacuation drill. English teacher, Kimberly Bradshaw said everything went well.

           
“It seemed to run very smoothly,” Bradshaw said.

           
The event was “pretty uneventful. That’s the way we would like it to be,” Bradshaw added.

           
Students at Shores seemed to have the same overall feelings.

           
“It didn’t seem like anything was out of hand,” sophomore Saddie Vela said.

           
Things may not have gotten out of hand on Thursday, but if it were the real deal, things would surely be different.

           
“People would be more panicked,” Vela said. “It wouldn’t be planned, and more people would be out of class, in the bathroom, and tardy. It would be more hectic for teachers.”

           
Overall, the drill was a successful event. Students and staff are definitely prepared.

           
“Nothing can ever duplicate a real situation,” Bradshaw said. “The idea is to make sure all communication lines work.”