School leaders in Danville are applauding the way students and staff reacted during a lock-down at Danville High School Wednesday morning. Assistant Superintendent John Hart says the school day had just gotten underway when some fireworks were ignited inside the building. ‘’Crisis response and procedures were followed to the letter,’’ said Hart in a statement to VermilionCountyFirst.com News.
Hart says three students were removed by police who are thought to have been involved in the incident. ‘’It’s a police investigation now,’’ he added.
Hart says the size of the fireworks involved was not immediately determined although some students and staff members said the blast was very loud. It sent students and staff scurrying as teachers directed students into areas to be safe.
And school leaders are also praising a ‘Crisis Go’ app that the school board decided to acquire earlier. Hart says it alerted teachers and other staff members immediately about the incident. The Assistant Superintendent says the app delivers a message to teachers letting them know there is a crisis. It also sends teachers a list of their students to help ensure no one is missing. And it tells those trained on using the app procedures they should follow to stay safe.
Hart says staff members have been trained on use of the app and the next step will be to release it to parents so they can be sent certain information. ‘’It could help dispel fears about what is happening,’’ says Hart. He notes the system was used two weeks ago when there was a power outage that affected Meade Park School. ‘’It helps make sure everyone gets the same message,’’ added Hart.
