jrunkles

Thursday afternoon at Levelland Middle School students and staff had the opportunity to show their amazing flexibility and character. At 11:55 the fire alarm sounded and the alarm messaging system indicated that the fire sprinkler system was activated. Students and teachers immediately evacuated the building, some having to leave directly from the cafeteria without coats. Administrators, Sodexo, and the Levelland Fire Department inspected the building and found that a pipe in the sprinkler system had burst, causing water to flood the hallway and run into classrooms in the 200 wing of the building. Because of the successful efforts of the entire LMS staff, though, the students were outside only a few minutes. Plans were being made to move students just down the street to the Levelland ABC, but by 12:10, the Levelland Fire Department gave the okay for students to return to the building and wait in the gym. Everyone was back in the warm building by 12:13. “The evacuation could not have gone better,” said LMS Assistant Principal, Ezra Chambers. “Students and staff evacuated the building in only three minutes and were cleared and back inside in less than eighteen minutes. Everyone did an amazing job,” he said.
The entire LMS staff and student body pitched in to make sure that students were safe. LMS secretary Cindy Albright evacuated her office taking all of the coats, hats and gloves from the Lost and Found box and passing them out to cold students. Teachers and students took their own coats off to share with students wearing only short sleeves.
Once back inside, students were taken to the gym where those who had not yet eaten were served lunch. The cafeteria staff worked hard to make sure that no one went without a meal. Because the building had been evacuated during lunch, trays and food had been left on the tables. Coach Dan Lassiter jumped in and began cleaning the cafeteria while Sodexo staff was already working to clean the flooded areas of the building.
School was dismissed at 1:30 p.m. and parents were notified using the Skylert system. The Levelland ISD Transportation Department sent busses and students were taken home. A line of vehicles extended down Alamo Drive south to Hwy 114, but while students waited indoors, all LMS staff stood outside to call the names of students as parents arrived. All students were safely headed home before 2:00 p.m.
Three classrooms were damaged by the water, and the Sodexo staff immediately began clean up and repairs. They worked late to ensure that the classes would be ready for use on Friday morning.
“We certainly don’t ever want our students to be outside in the cold, but of course our priority was the safety of our students and staff,” said LMS Principal Kenny Berry. “Our first task was to get students and staff evacuated from a building where there was a possible fire. Once we knew the building was safe, our second job was to make sure everyone was in a warm, dry place. And then, third, we made sure every student ate lunch. Our main concern was always the safety and well-being of our students. We are so proud of their behavior and we appreciate the patience of LMS parents.”
Everyone at LMS stepped up and went the extra mile to take care of one another. WAY TO GO LMS STUDENTS AND STAFF!

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