Joplin High School Student Severe Weather Preparedness
By: Jessica Schaer
Updated: March 6, 2013
JOPLIN, MO.---- Joplin High School's 11th and 12th graders have their severe weather action plan down to a science.
"They take the drills much more seriously since the tornado, and I'm very proud of our students with the approach that they take performing drills," said Greg Boyd, Joplin High School Senior Principal.
Students say they treat tornado drills seriously because they have a whole new way of carrying out their plan since May 2011.
"Well, we used to do them on a less frequent basis and in a completely different way. You know we'd go to our classroom out in the hallway and we'd put our books over our head, you know," said Lane Freeborn, Joplin High School Senior.
Now, juniors and seniors at the Northpark campus have 37 safe rooms that provide a sense of security during severe weather.
"I don't know a lot of schools that have tornado shelter right outside, so it's very nice, after what happened because, you know, if we had been in school that day it would have been a different outcome," says Freeborn.
By taking part in a statewide tornado drill, students showed they'll be ready during a severe weather event.
"I think that our kids are going to take that a lot more seriously. That those particular students in another area that may have practiced it, but have not have seen the first-hand effects of a tornado," says Boyd.
During today's run, nearly 900 students made it into the school's shelters in only 90 seconds. Severe Weather Awareness Week continues tomorrow with the theme "Build A Kit." Everyone is encouraged to spend the day making sure they have the necessary supplies for a severe weather threat.
"They take the drills much more seriously since the tornado, and I'm very proud of our students with the approach that they take performing drills," said Greg Boyd, Joplin High School Senior Principal.
Students say they treat tornado drills seriously because they have a whole new way of carrying out their plan since May 2011.
"Well, we used to do them on a less frequent basis and in a completely different way. You know we'd go to our classroom out in the hallway and we'd put our books over our head, you know," said Lane Freeborn, Joplin High School Senior.
Now, juniors and seniors at the Northpark campus have 37 safe rooms that provide a sense of security during severe weather.
"I don't know a lot of schools that have tornado shelter right outside, so it's very nice, after what happened because, you know, if we had been in school that day it would have been a different outcome," says Freeborn.
By taking part in a statewide tornado drill, students showed they'll be ready during a severe weather event.
"I think that our kids are going to take that a lot more seriously. That those particular students in another area that may have practiced it, but have not have seen the first-hand effects of a tornado," says Boyd.
During today's run, nearly 900 students made it into the school's shelters in only 90 seconds. Severe Weather Awareness Week continues tomorrow with the theme "Build A Kit." Everyone is encouraged to spend the day making sure they have the necessary supplies for a severe weather threat.
