Blair holds first fire drill of the school year

Blair conducted its first fire drill of the school year today in the football stadium at 9:15 a.m. during the advisory period, which took place immediately after second period. Students' emergency meeting areas were organized by advisory classes rather than by homeroom as in the past.

The advisory system replaced homeroom just this year. Whereas advisory classes are based on academies, homeroom assignments were based on grade and last name. According to Assistant Principal Linda Wanner, the new advisory classes help facilitate fire drills because all the teachers know their students and so are better able to keep track of them. Also, each advisory class has two teachers instead of one, making it easier for the teachers to take attendance during every drill.

In addition, all meeting areas are located in the football stadium's stands this year, whereas in the past, some were held in the field. Wanner said this was feasible because of the school's lower population.

Despite this being the first fire drill under the new system, Wanner thinks that overall, the evacuation went very smoothly. "The school emptied out quickly," she said. "I thought it went beautifully."