Here at Pahrump Valley High School, we practice safety drills with our assistant principal, Mrs. Baker, looking over them. Required by the state, it’s necessary that we do them so that we know what to do if these events actually happen. But why do we do so many? We’re in high school now, aren’t we? Aren’t these procedures engraved in our brains? The explanation is simpler than you might think.
In an interview with Mrs. Baker, as it’s her first year at PVHS, she talked about how she runs it and her opinions on it. She stated, “The easy answer is because the state makes us, but I would also say that the high school setting is a bit different. So, at least when you’re a freshman, you might not know where we’re going; even teachers have to learn it. There’s also kids who show up from out of state or district; they don’t know.”
“In my opinion, let’s say we did have something bad happen, I’m not sure that we’ll all follow the drills exactly. So, it’s best if we just keep doing it. in the event of an actual drill, we could be on point,” Baker finished.
A freshman, Addy Murphy, pitched in on this topic, putting in her piece: “I think drills distract us a ton during class since we have to pause our work, and it’s annoyed me in the past, but I understand how it’s necessary when you think about different scenarios and people. It gets repetitive after a while, but it’s sometimes nice to get a brain break every once in a while during it.”
“Thinking about it now, our safety drills really are essential. I mean, we move from school to school and the layouts are never the same, so it’s pretty needed, I guess,” she added.
Baker, although she’s the one who runs it, has her own opinions about safety drills from her past as a teacher. She gave this scenario: “You have a dissection planned for your class, and then boom, someone’s on the intercom telling every student to go to the football field. Isn’t that annoying? It’s why I try to give the staff here like a week’s notice beforehand so they can plan their class around it. It’s annoying, but we have to do it, and if we have to do it, then let’s do it prepared.”
“Another problem I have with it is the anxiety it can cause in students, the thought pattern it creates. We’re just constantly being reminded that something bad can happen, don’t like that. It’s why we always make sure that people know it’s a drill,” Baker continued.
In conclusion, our school cares for its students, and we’re reminded of that with each drill we do. Even though they can be annoying and distracting, it’s necessary for everybody’s safety. PVHS asks that you treat every drill like it’s actually happening so that if something actually happens, you’re prepared. Listen to your teachers, follow your class, and stay safe.
