This is not a drill—elementary evacuated

Roof work leads to gas leak, evacuation at Mt. Vernon Elementary School
 
What started out as ongoing renovations at the Mt. Vernon Elementary School, quickly turned in to an evacuation situation, the morning of Thursday, April 15. Contractors working on the roof accidentally knocked into a gas pipe, causing a leak throughout the building.
School teachers reported the smell of natural gas, prompting a quick and efficient evacuation of students and staff. Children were taken to the playground, with teachers doing their best to keep the situation lighthearted for the students.
Upon learning that the situation could possibly take several hours to repair, arrangements were made to walk the students a few blocks north to the First Baptist Church, South Hickory Street. Pre-k parents were also notified to pick up students at the recess gate, if they chose to do so.
Parents were promptly notified of the situation using the School Messenger system. Parents were asked to give administration and staff approximately one hour to get students organized and situated before coming to pick up their student.
The schools dismissal and sign out program "Kid Account" came in extra handy throughout this process, reported MVES Principal Christina West, due to teachers being able to have their class lists on their phones and at the ready if need be.
"We had people out front of the church using Kid Account to do a SAFE dismissal. This helped us know exactly who was on the child's pick up list,” West said. “It is also time stamped when the child was picked up and what person picked that child up from that location. So when we returned back to the building, we knew exactly where each child was even if they had been picked up by the parents."
Superintendent Scott Cook said that the problem has been repaired and other locations are currently being evaluated to ensure that this issue does not arise again.
Cook and West were both quick to praise staff members for the way each of them handled a situation that very easily could have students very frightened.
"I am very proud of the way our staff members turned a potentially scary situation for our students into a fun activity,” Cook said. “The calming influence of our teachers and staff members made the day a positive memory for students. I would also like to thank the community of Mt. Vernon for their help, especially the First Baptist Church. It is very reassuring to know we have a network of support available at a moment's notice as problems occur.”
West was also very pleased with how the situation and care of each student was handled by school personnel, as well as community members.
"We cannot thank the Mt. Vernon community and the teachers/staff enough for their calm demeanor and their willingness to help in whatever way possible,” West said. “The transition was quick and smooth. School Messenger allowed us to send a phone call and email to parents so they were aware of exactly what the situation was and where their child was located. Also, the students were so well behaved and were excellent listeners. Parents were patient and understanding. We appreciate everyone's help so much...and it was definitely a team effort!"
Teachers and students were able to return to the school around 1:45 p.m. that afternoon and proceed with a normal dismissal. Classes then resumed as normal the following day.