CLARKSVILLE — As students and teachers packed up their classrooms for the summer at Clinton-Massie Elementary School, student work was removed from the walls to carry home. School books were counted and shelved. Classroom school supplies were packed away.
And, classroom emergency buckets were placed in storage closets having never been used but equipped and available at a moment’s notice.
Always keeping the safety and security of its students as its first priority, early in the school year, CMES teamed up with area businesses and members of the community in an effort to prepare emergency buckets stocked with essential supplies on the off chance that such a situation might arise and emergency resources would be needed.
According to CMES principal Jennifer Updike, the idea originated from Dann Sternsher, who chairs Massie’s safety committee, and Judi Sternsher, who teaches fifth grade.
Planning for the future, CMES reached out to Lowes, which generously donated 50 buckets, and area businesses and community members who donated supplies to fill the buckets that will provide aide to students and staff in the event of an emergency situation.
“I am so glad the Sternsher family brought this simple idea to increase the safety of our students at CMES,” said Updike. “Our teachers now take these buckets with them during practice drills, so they are prepared in the event of an emergency.”
Updike when on to say that she hopes there is never a need to truly put these buckets to use, but she is glad that teachers are prepared with some basic emergency items, and she appreciates all the support from local families and businesses for their donations.
Information for this article was provided by Diana Miller, who coordinates communications for several area schools.
