Pretend disasters

The clouds were gray over Jefferson Elementary Tuesday, making it easier to believe a storm might be coming.

In a second-grade classroom at the school, students' eyes kept straying to the ticking clock hanging on the wall.

It's 9:28. In two minutes, a tornado will strike. A student raised his hand.

"Mrs. Bass, have you ever been in a tornado?" he asked the school counselor who just wrapped up a special lesson with the class.

Like some businesses and individuals around Missouri, local schools participated in a statewide severe weather drill Tuesday to help prepare for tornadoes and other potential natural disasters.

At Jefferson, a series of buzzes and beeps came over the loudspeaker. There were a few moments of wild scurrying, then the students filed out into the hall, got down on hands and knees and tucked their heads down.

They were down on the cool tile floor for several minutes, as teachers walked around to make sure everyone is in the proper position. This is no joking matter, though the students are tempted. One boy poked his head up to survey the situation.

"You keep that head down, stuff's going to be blowing around," Bass said.

And then, as quickly as it began, it was over. Much like in a real tornado.

A few blocks away, an earthquake warning was issued at Franklin Elementary and students there began to prepare.

Students in Lori Huey's kindergarten class were reviewing the proper procedures to follow during an earthquake.

While older children have been through the various drills -- earthquake, fire, tornado, intruder -- numerous times before, it was all new for kindergartners.

"With the younger students, we usually have to go over and over it again. It's more of a challenge," explained Franklin principal Rhonda Dunham.

Dunham began the drill by sounding a series of beeps and announcing over the school intercom, "The ground is shaking now. We're now in the process of having an earthquake."

Students dived under tables in Huey's classroom.

"Ow, I hit my head," 6-year-old Luke Barnes said from beneath his table.

Dunham's voice came over the loudspeaker again, announcing that the quake ended and it was time to evacuate the building.

Outside, Huey counted her students and then led them around the building to a back parking lot where other classes have gathered.

Huey's students chattered among themselves enthusiastically. It's likely the most exciting thing that's happened to them all day.

"You can see what an ordeal this is with kindergartners," Huey said.

And then it's all over, almost as quickly as it began.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128