The Oct. 10 relocation/reunification drill successfully evacuated the school and moved 1,500 students to Rockefeller Chapel in 35 minutes.

Paul Gunty,  finance and operations coordinator, said in general the drill began at 9:45 a.m. and went well, though there were more students in the high school than had been anticipated, which led to cramped spaces inside the chapel. 

“It created a bottleneck coming in that door because there was no room for students to move into the pews,” Mr. Gunty said. 

Students followed the fire evacuation procedures and teachers took attendance, according to instructions. Then, students walked to Rockefeller and gathered by grade level and advisory. 

According to Mr. Gunty, a relocation/reunification scenario would occur if the building needs to be evacuated and there is either inclement weather or another circumstance preventing people from reentering the building, such as a fire. 

In order to avoid the cramped spaces for next drill, Mr. Gunty said seniors will most likely relocate to the front of the church.

“300 kids were trying to come into the building and were being blocked by people standing,” Mr. Gunty said.

 Mr. Gunty also said some students didn’t listen to their teachers’ instructions. 

“Teachers have to stress to their students and students have to realize that that’s their responsibility in any evacuation,” he said. “They report to their teacher outside rather than having their teacher try to find them.”