Who is Coming for Dinner?

School safety plans have try and account for every possible scenario. While this is nearly impossible our current safety plans are broad enough to cover many different types of threats. For example, when a suspicious box is found under a railcar in Decatur that could potentially release dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere; schools in Limestone County jump into action. 

Tanner and Clements High Schools were found to be in the danger zone so they were evacuated to Ardmore which was out of the danger area. This is very similar to the plan for evacuation due to a nuclear emergency at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. The plan was put into action and everyone carried out the plan to ensure the safety of our students. We welcomed our guest in the new gym and they safely waited until law enforcement officers determined the extent of the threat.

Moving this many students requires many people working together. Bus drivers, teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, office workers, and law enforcement officers are just a few of the people needed to fulfill such a daunting task. Our cafeteria workers were able to feed all the students on our campus in just a matter of a few hours. Older students carried trays back to the gym while younger students ate in the cafeteria. All Ardmore students carried their trays back to their rooms while we prepared for our arriving guests.

The staff and administration of each school worked hard to organize what could have easily become chaos. Parents came and checked out students and very patiently understood everyone was trying to ensure all students were released safely. Students behaved wonderfully while sitting in classrooms, gyms or in the cafeteria. The students who ate in the gym were very careful to take very good care of the gym.

Although we certainly dread such events it is good to know that plans work and with common sense, and hard work nearly any situation can be managed effectively. Ardmore is fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful community and school system.