An important part of maintaining a safe school environment is regularly practicing our emergency procedures. To that end, on Friday, March 20, 2026, we will conduct a campus-wide evacuation drill.
While this type of drill is not required by New York State, we believe it is an important opportunity to practice and evaluate our procedures. The last time we conducted a full campus evacuation was in 2018.
The drill has two primary goals:
To ensure that all students, staff, and visitors can safely evacuate campus using established procedures.
To evaluate the district’s ability to mobilize buses and transport large numbers of students and staff to an off-site location safely and efficiently.
General Overview
Students in grades K-12 will evacuate their buildings and board school buses. They will be transported to St. John’s Church across the street from the MS/HS Driveway, where they will briefly wait before returning to campus.
Each school will follow slightly different procedures, outlined below.
Elementary School
Drill start time: Approximately 8:45am
All students should arrive at school on time.
Students will have time to eat breakfast before the drill begins.
Students who arrive after the drill begins will remain in the office until their class returns (around 10:00am). An administrator, nurse, and office staff member will remain at the school during the drill to supervise those students.
Elementary students will board buses and travel to St. John’s. Students will remain on the buses with their classes and then return to school. Elementary students will not unload from the buses.
Students will be participating in the drill from 8:45am-10:00am. If you plan on picking your child up during this time for any reason (ex: medical appointment), please plan accordingly.
March 20, 2026 is a half-day for Grades UPK-5.
K–5 dismissal: 11:30am
UPK dismissal: 12:00am
Lunch is not served on half days.
UPK students will NOT participate in the drill.
UPK Drop Off will change to Lot #1 (North Lot) on March 20 only.
Middle and High School
Drill start time: Approximately 8:30am
Students should arrive at school on time (except seniors with late arrival).
Seniors with late arrival should follow a two-hour delay schedule and should not arrive before 10:00am. This ONLY applies to seniors. All other students should arrive on time (around 8:00am).
Students will report to first period as usual and will have time to eat breakfast before the drill begins.
Students will be participating in the drill from 8:30am-10:00am. If you plan on picking your child up during this time for any reason (ex: medical appointment), please plan accordingly.
Morning Questar students will attend Questar as usual.
Afternoon Questar students who self-transport should go directly to Questar.
Afternoon Questar students who take the bus should report to school, participate in the drill, and then take the bus to Questar, or arrive to school at 10:00am.
After returning to school, students will follow a two-hour delay schedule:
Warning Bell - 10:06
Period 1 - 10:08–10:35
Period 4 - 10:38–11:08
Period 5 - 11:11–11:41
Period 6 - 11:44–12:14
Period 7 -12:17–12:47
Period 2 - 12:50–1:17
Period 3 - 1:20–1:47
Period 8 - 1:50–2:16
Period 9 - 2:19–2:45
Where are students being transported?
Students will be transported to St. John’s Church on Route 81, across the street from the MS/HS Driveway. This is the largest and closest off-campus location that allows us to complete this drill as quickly as possible. This location is being used for drill purposes only and would not necessarily be the location used during a real campus evacuation.
What will the process be for the drill?
Students will board buses and travel to St. John’s. Middle and high school students will get off the buses with their classes and wait inside the building while the elementary school students are transported. Elementary students will remain on buses in the parking lot of St. Johns. Once attendance is taken, MS/HS students will reload onto the buses, and all students will return to campus.
How will students be accounted for?
Student accountability is a critical part of the drill. Teachers and designated zone leaders will take attendance in the classroom before evacuation, on the buses, at the off-site location, and upon returning to campus.
Administrators, transportation staff, and members of the district office will also assist during the drill to ensure all procedures are followed and to provide additional supervision.
What kind of emergency would cause a campus evacuation?
A full off-campus evacuation would be used only when it is unsafe for students and staff to remain in the school buildings or on school grounds. Examples could include situations such as a gas leak, a hazardous-materials spill, or an act of violence in school.
Will law enforcement be present during the drill?
The Greene County Sheriff’s Department and the State Police are planning to assist with this drill, specifically by directing traffic on Route 81.
What happens if a student becomes sick or has a medical issue while off campus?
School nurses will be on buses and at St. John’s in case any medical needs arise.
Will backpacks and personal belongings stay with students during the drill?
No, students will be instructed to leave everything behind, just like in a real emergency. These items take up extra space on buses and can be a hazard when placed in the aisles.
Where would parents pick up students in a real emergency?
That would depend on the type of emergency and the location available to us at the time. The District would communicate the location and reunification procedures to parents if a true campus evacuation were to take place.
How long will the entire drill take?
We anticipate the drill will take roughly one hour, from the time the first announcement is made until the last student returns to class.
What if I need to pick up my student during the drill?
Please make arrangements to pick up your child before or after the drill, as the campus will be inaccessible while the drill is taking place.
I’d like to thank you for your support in making this drill happen. If you have any questions regarding the specifics of this drill, please reach out to Sara Statham, District Safety Council Secretary, at stathams@greenvillecsd.org or 518-966-5070 x511.
Thank you,
Michael Bennett
Superintendent of Schools