"Shelter in Place" Drill Held at Gibbs During Thursday's Storms

As storms moved through the area on Thursday afternoon, borough officials initiated a reverse 911 call to residents alerting them of the hazardous weather conditions and Gibbs School administrators elected to move students to a safer location.

Gibbs School Principal Scott Davies decided to hold a "shelter-in-place" drill after reviewing information from the National Weather Service and looking at Doppler radar of the approaching storms.

"We took the precaution of moving students to the interior hallways of the building," said Davies in an e-mail to parents.  "Since there was no imminent threat, the children took a moment to bring a favorite book with them so that we could also have a special school-wide DEAR time."

DEAR time is a national reading initiative, "Drop Everything And Read."

Davies said students and staff remained calm throughout the 25 minute drill, which began at the end of the K-2 lunch period.

In an announcement, the students and staff were told, "that while there was no immediate weather concern, we wanted to take a precaution until the most intense parts of the storm pass through the area," said Davies.

Lunch aides and teachers stayed with their classes, Davies said, and other staff moved through the hallways to ensure students were doing well. 

"I am happy to inform you that all children responded very well - and I might even say that they were happy and excited at the novelty of having DEAR time in the hallway," said Davies.