The type and frequency of drills in schools have changed over the years, but the purpose of practicing drills has always been the same: to ensure students and staff are prepared to quickly make their way to safety in the event of an emergency situation.

Manville, in particular, has always had at least 2 drills per month, whether it be a lock down, a fire drill, an active shooter drill, an evacuation drill, or a simple shelter-in-place drill.  These drills are always taken very seriously by the teachers because if not, the students wouldn’t be prepared if, in the worst case scenario, any of these events do happen. We have had incidents in the past of real fire drills, shelter-in-places, and many other drills.  Without these drills, there would be no protocol of what to do in the event that an incident does occur.

Schools around the world have taken these drills very seriously with the recent dangers that have entered schools, such as  shootings that have been occurring in schools like Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where a gunman pulled the fire alarm to lure students outside, then opened fire among the students, killing 16 people in the incident.  This proves more than ever that schools do need these drills to protect against incidents like that and keep the students and staff safe.

Drills are to protect the well-being of the students and the staff of the school. Manville High School by doing all of the countless drills throughout the year is only to protect us as students.