we had a fire drill this morning.

health and safety mandates
a fire and lockdown drill
once a term.

I gave my class as much
warning as humanly possible,
but no matter how much you practise,
these drills are always unsettling
for students.

I kept one of my kids in
for the first 5 minutes of play
because he purposely
ignored adult instruction
during our single-file march
onto the back oval.

his reaction was outrage -
as usual.

these drills are mandated,
so twice every term,
I am faced with the terrifying truth
that I would die protecting my students
in a heartbeat,
if it came down to it.

every drill is an opportunity
to practise emergency procedures
and ensure the safety of
every student in the school
and every student...