By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY
Senior Writer
Some 576 students and 23 teachers at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School in Crestline participated in the so-called “Great California Shakeout” earthquake drill which began at precisely 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16. During a visit to Ms Mazakas’ classroom prior to the drop and cover earthquake exercise, one of her students was asked what his teacher had taught the class about earthquakes and why it was important to learn what to do if there is one. Damien, who is 9, said, “It prepares you for a real earthquake.”
When the 10:16 a.m. announcement finally came over the school’s intercom system, the students in Ms. Mazakas’ classroom, following the drop and cover instructions their teacher had given them prior to the earthquake exercise, promptly dropped to their knees beneath their desks and tables and covered the back of their neck with one hand while the other hand grabbed onto the nearest table leg. Then an all-clear message instructed them to follow their teacher out to the playground where each class lined up in a quiet and orderly manner while their teachers verified that each student in their class made it safely to the playground.
The school’s attendance counselor Kelly Ellevold told the Alpine Mountaineer on Friday that the exercise went smoothly and that all six of the Rim of the World Unified School District schools train for and participate in the yearly earthquake exercise, as well as several fire drills and an active shooter drill.
Had there been an actual earthquake, pre-appointed school staff members would return to the school’s buildings to assess damage and file a report with local authorities.
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