Don't Be Alarmed—School District 304 Plans Emergency Drill April 26

Geneva School District 304 is keeping the specifics of the drill a secret, but in the wake of school shootings at Newtown and others, it's not hard to imagine what the drill might entail.

Geneva School District 304 Superintendent Kent Mutchler sent a letter to parents notifying them of the "districtwide, full-scale emergency drill" that will take place between noon and 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the middle school campus on Viking Drive.

Viking Drive and Blackman Road will be blocked off during the drill, beginning around noon.

The drill "is planned to provide Geneva School District staff the invaluable opportunity to evaluate their emergency response procedures and make adjustments where necessary," Mutchler said.

Students will be dismissed early on that day, which falls on a Friday, at the following times:

• High School: 10:05 a.m.
• Elementary Schools: 10:20 a.m.
• Middle Schools: 11 a.m.

The drill will incorporate all district administrators and certified staff, as well as many support staff members. No students will be participating in the drill, Mutchler said.

"To make it as realistic and effective as possible, organizers are keeping confidential the specifics of the drill, which is being conducted in partnership with the Kane County Office of Emergency Management, Geneva Police Department, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Geneva Fire Department, Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District, Tri-Com Central Dispatch, Delnor Hospital/Cadence Health, Geneva Park District, and Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative," Mutchler said.

"On the day of the drill, please do not be alarmed if you see emergency responders, smoke, ambulances, and/or media on the Geneva Middle School campus."

Mutchler said District 304 will provide additional information regarding the full-scale drill and the district’s emergency response plans later this month.

SOURCE: School District 304