Peoria Schools Take Action in Great Central U.S. ShakeOut
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: February 7, 2012
PEORIA--At Mark Bills Middle School students are learning to read, write, and prepare for disasters.
"While it's not typical, our students need to be aware of any emergency situation and how to prepare themselves for that," said Principal Laura Rodgers.
The school is joining with millions across Illinois, for the Great Central United States Shake Out.
It's a drill teaching students what to do in the event of an earthquake.
"The day after we signed up there was that tremor in Chicago, so just a reminder that it can happen in Central Illinois," said District 150 spokesman Chris Coplan.
When the drill announcement rang through the school's intercom...
"This is an earthquake drill. Drop. Cover. And hold on."
Students immediately crawled under their desks, and remained huddled on the floor till the exercise ended.
Sixth grader Hailee Goodman says the drill is a good idea.
"If an earthquake happened at school, we'd be safe," said Goodman. "You get under something and you cover your head and your neck."
"I think it was a good idea to get under our desks and just sit there," adds sixth grader Jacobe Washington. "Because there would be nowhere else to hide."
Staff say by practicing the exercise now, kids will be prepared if disaster should strike in the future.
"By practicing this drill today, it is something that they will carry with them," said Rodgers.
This is District 150's first year participating in the Great Central U.S. Shake Out.
"While it's not typical, our students need to be aware of any emergency situation and how to prepare themselves for that," said Principal Laura Rodgers.
The school is joining with millions across Illinois, for the Great Central United States Shake Out.
It's a drill teaching students what to do in the event of an earthquake.
"The day after we signed up there was that tremor in Chicago, so just a reminder that it can happen in Central Illinois," said District 150 spokesman Chris Coplan.
When the drill announcement rang through the school's intercom...
"This is an earthquake drill. Drop. Cover. And hold on."
Students immediately crawled under their desks, and remained huddled on the floor till the exercise ended.
Sixth grader Hailee Goodman says the drill is a good idea.
"If an earthquake happened at school, we'd be safe," said Goodman. "You get under something and you cover your head and your neck."
"I think it was a good idea to get under our desks and just sit there," adds sixth grader Jacobe Washington. "Because there would be nowhere else to hide."
Staff say by practicing the exercise now, kids will be prepared if disaster should strike in the future.
"By practicing this drill today, it is something that they will carry with them," said Rodgers.
This is District 150's first year participating in the Great Central U.S. Shake Out.
