By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Area schools have plenty of activities going on inside and outdoors during the spring season. In part three of our severe weather awareness special, we talked with USD 308’s Ray Hemman about what they do to stay safe during the spring storm season. He says it all starts with gathering information from law enforcement and emergency management.
“When we know there is a high probability of an event, they have a morning meeting and we have a seat at that table,” Hemman said. “When there is an emergency they will have an idea about our extracurricular activities, and know our school schedules so that first responders know.”
If students are still at school all of the district buildings provide shelter in case of severe weather.
“We have safe rooms in all of our schools where we have underground places where we can put our students,” Hemman said. “A lot of schools including the north part of Hutchinson High have relatively new storm rooms.” The high school also has protective shutters that can keep students safe.
One of the more challenging times for schools is when students are getting ready to leave for the day and severe weather is approaching. Hemman says they have a policy in place for that.
“If there’s a warning we keep the kids in,” Hemman said. “Parents can come in like every other time and sign them out. We discourage that strongly, but we will sign them out.” Hemman says if a storm is right on top of the school all staff will be in shelters so parents need to take that into account.
Students can also be disbursed throughout the area with spring sporting events. Hemman says it’s not just severe weather they have to take into account during those events.
“Lightning is probably our biggest hazard,” Hemman noted. “Whether you are playing baseball or running track or any of the other activities that are outside.”
Hemman says if a storm should do damage to one of the buildings in the district the first priority will be student safety. All schools do have medical staff at the school on a continuous basis with school nurses.