AGAWAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ALICE Evacuation Drill
Clifford Granger School
May 23, 2018
9:45 a.m.
On Wednesday, May 23rd, Agawam Public Schools will be conducting its first ALICE Evacuation Drill at the Clifford Granger Elementary School. The drill will begin at 9:45 a.m. and will be the next step in the ongoing ALICE training, which has taken place in each of the district’s eight schools and has included barricading.
The evacuation drill is being conducted in conjunction with the Agawam Police Department and the district’s Safety Supervisor, John Nettis. The goal of this drill is to familiarize students with evacuating the building and walking to one of two safe locations that were selected by the police department. Preschool through second grade students will only practice evacuating to one location. Third and fourth grade students will practice evacuating to both locations. Both locations are within walking distance from Granger School. For this first drill, students will walk to their evacuation site. In future drills, they will be asked to evacuate at full speed.
To make the evacuation drill as real as possible, students will be asked to exit the building with their hands up and fingers spread. According to police, exiting in this manner will become automatic for students as they get older and progress through grades. This skill could also help them in a public emergency situation. Students will also be asked to walk in a zigzag to their locations.
To ensure the safety of our students, the drill will be conducted under the supervision of their teachers and police officers. ALICE Evacuation Drills will also be conducted in the future at each of the district’s other seven schools.