Students at Hillcrest Primary School and Leads Charter School in Shawano have been using Severe Weather awareness week as a chance to practice what to do in case of a severe weather while at school or home. Principal Troy Edwards said it is valuable to the students and to the families for them to include age appropriate severe weather discussion in class this week.
“There will be various lessons at different grade levels that the teachers will be focusing on this week. They will be practicing with their classes this week and on Friday at 1:45 were are going to be doing our tornado drill because we have another activity on Thursday and we cannot do it that day” said Edwards.
One other key component is practice for after school. Edwards said the hope is that families go over their plans this week as well.
“We want all families to have a plan and to practice that plan so that they are prepared if they have to put that plan into action, practice makes perfect.”
In New London, the drills will take place Thursday. District Administrator Kathy Gwidt said it is for everyone.
“All of our schools will have a mock tornado watch at 1:00pm and a mock tornado warning will take place at 1:45. All the schools participate in this. The Statewide drills are opportunities for us to practice our emergency plans and the kids have practiced in advance” said Gwidt. “We have sent newsletters home to share this information with families and they are encouraged to do the same at home so they have an emergency plan at home.”
Most schools have the safety plan drawn up well in advance, but this week gives the chance to go through the actual steps.