The Rebel Yeller
Stormin' In the HeartlandThursday, January 10, 2008 By Kylie Isbell
Tuesday’s tornado warning made Richland students a little flustered. Staff and teachers did a good job handling the situation. “Well, yes, as a principal that was the first time I was in charge [during a situation like this],” says Brian Huekel. “The first time you deal with something like that, it makes you anxious and nervous. By the end I felt OK because everyone did a good job doing what they were supposed to.” Huekel commented on the kids being scared. “We felt good about the situation towards the end when students and teachers helped calm little kids down,” said Huekel. Karen Lane had the first grade students in the library when the tornado bells went off. “The first graders handled it well; they were excellent," Lane said. "They actually did better than some of the Junior and Senior High kids. “Mrs. Brown came down later and kept the kids occupied," Lane continued. "I was glad they did well because comforting little kids just isn’t my thing." One of our newest students, Chris Huckstep, was in the FACS class when the bells went off. “I was OK with it, I really wanted to go back to the classroom and look out the window; I’ve never seen a tornado before,” says Huckstep. Some teachers allowed their students to have their cell phones out during time. Many students texted their parents to let them know what was going on, and get more outside information on the storm. “I was worried about my child,” says Amy Reed, “but I didn’t have service on my phone to get a hold of anyone.” Students were allowed to sit in the hallway, rather than being hunched down against the walls. To pass the time students did things from playing cards to singing “Row Row Row Your Boat.” When the storm had blown over, students returned back to their classes. This made for a great learning experience for students and staff on how prepared the school is for such a situation. If there is ever a next time, things will run even smoother. |