As fire alarms rang out through Southwest Elementary last Thursday morning, faculty and staff immediately switched into the mode they train for several times during the school year - getting the students to a safe place.
"The building went immediately into safety mode and evacuation mode," Principal Jacinda DeWitt said.
According to DeWitt, a bad sensor in the kitchen caused all the main alarms to sound, therefore sending an alert to the Dexter Fire Department.
Not realizing at the time it was a "false alarm," staff at the school did exactly what they train for throughout the year.
Students were evacuated from whatever point they were located to designated safe areas outside the building.
Teachers and staff donned orange safety vests, handheld radios for communication and accounted for all students.
Class rosters are with teachers at all times, DeWitt said. Many have a copy on the back of their cell phones or name badges.
"I want to thank the teachers for their prompt response and putting the safety of the students first," DeWitt said. "They did an outstanding job carrying out their routines and procedures for a fire drill."
Dexter firefighters arrived, along with Stoddard County Ambulance and Student Resource Officer Don Donner, to check the school. After their investigation, firefighters found the bad sensor.
Both departments, Donner and the community were very helpful the day of the false alarm and are always supportive of Southwest Elementary, DeWitt said.
Thankfully only a false alarm last week, the 68 faculty and staff at Southwest Elementary along with 529 kindergarten through second grade students practice for emergency situations just like this several times a year.
"Routines and procedures are critical for our little ones whether in the classroom or transitioning," DeWitt said. "The key is having good, established routines and procedures and we feel like we do."
Preparation and practice for emergencies begin with staff even before students return to the building for a new school year.
Fire, earthquake, bomb threats and other drills are all practiced during teacher workshops. Scenarios and discussions take place during monthly faculty meetings as well.
Each month staff discuss what worked well during the drills, what can be improved and relay any information from weekly grade level meetings to devise the best safety plan.
The drills are documented as well, DeWitt said. This ensures students are evacuated quickly and promptly for their safety.
The Dexter Fire Department and Donner assist with several of the drills during the year to help keep the procedures fresh.
"Safety is first," DeWitt said. "It's number one and they all take it very seriously."
By practicing routines and procedures, DeWitt said the students are now comfortable with the concept. She even praised the youngest students at Southwest for their quick evacuation last week and being able to go on with their day after the interruption.
Following the false alarm, a message was sent to all parents informing of the incident. DeWitt said the message expressed all students were safe and the day would continue as normal.
"We want parents and families to know we do everything to keep their children safe," she said. "When children are dropped off they entrust us to their child and we are going to make sure they are safe."
That safety starts with the faculty and staff at Southwest Elementary, DeWitt said.
"I couldn't be prouder," DeWitt said. "Having everyone work together as a team just shows how much Southwest faculty and staff care about the kids. They truly put their safety first."