As the second semester progresses, Sacred Hearts Academy recently conducted its first mass evacuation drill, which involved the entire school community.
This drill took place at the end of last month, during the first hour of the school day. Both the lower and upper school students participated, evacuating the campus under the guidance of their advisors. Students were directed to designated safe locations, with some students relocated to Saint Patrick School and others to Regina Pacis Convent across the street.
“In my opinion, I think it is good that we practice this evacuation and be prepared for when we (actually) need to evacuate,” junior Aeris Chiu said.
Faculty and staff followed a guide, which had been emailed by Head of School Brandy Ann Sato months prior. Faculty and staff also met about the plan earlier in the month.
In her email, Sato emphasized that students’ safety should be their main priority. Sato then continued to remind teachers to have their whistle available to direct students safely to their appointed areas.
“Ensure that you are wearing your badge and have your whistle with you,” she said in the email. “Escort students, with your rosters and green/red cards, to your locations.”
As students made their way safely to the Regina Pacis Convent, staff members wearing bright yellow vests were stationed around the school and crosswalks, guiding participants and directing traffic. Once all divisions reached their assigned places, teachers held up their green cards. This was a way to communicate that all their students were present. Teachers missing students were instructed to hold up a red card.
After successfully completing the drill, students and teachers began to head back to their classrooms and continue on with their daily activities and schedules.
“On behalf of the administration, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your participation in today’s mass evacuation drill,” Sato said in the email to faculty and staff. “Your cooperation and dedication were critical to the success of this drill, and I’m very proud of how everyone came together to make it a smooth and efficient evacuation of our on-campus community.”
