As a parent of children at Gardiners Avenue School, my concern has always been for their safety and health. Therefore I became the chairperson of the Safety and Health Committee of Gardiners Avenue PTA. Coincidentally, today I was entering the building to tend to PTA business when the fire alarm sounded and what I thought would be a chaotic moment became just the opposite.

Every employee within view and earshot immediately sprung into action with what seemed to be their assigned duties. Each child was escorted and moved away from the building. The children obeyed, and seemed to understand the seriousness of what was happening as the teachers and employees with two-way radios "inventoried" every child quickly and orderly.

There was no way that these teachers knew I was now watching as a concerned parent ready to report any difficulties. But, there needs to be a way for the parents, whoever may have had a doubt about their child's safety in an emergency to know that the staff of Gardiners Avenue School did a superb job. They could keep our children safe while assuring crowd control in what at any time could be a major disaster with their professionalism.

Thank you for allowing me to share my observances with you.