After 2nd block on Friday, Principal Patrick Tutwiler instigated a “shelter in place” drill. According to an e-mail sent out to parents and guardians the purpose of the drill was “twofold.”

First and foremost, shelter in place is an emergency protocol that provides extra security measures when there is a threatening situation outside of the buildings. We should be as familiar with this protocol as we are with the exit procedure in the event of a fire. I also used this opportunity to conduct a k-9 assisted search of the campus. In partnership with local and regional law enforcement and a representative of the District Attorney’s office, the search took place during homeroom and lasted a little more than twenty minutes. – Principal Tutwiler in an e-mail to parents and guardians.

“Someone told me about it yesterday, and said it was going to happen today,” said junior Ariel Chates. “I didn’t actually seen any dogs though, I was secluded in my homeroom.”

“I informed the student body via written message that was read aloud in homerooms shortly before the event took place,” said Tutwiler in his e-mail. “I am thankful to report that nothing was found.”

According to Tutwiler, this was the first k-9 search ever conducted at WHS. “I didn’t know it was going to happen,” said sophomore Corinne Hubbuch. “I was just walking to class and I heard the announcement go on, I didn’t even know what it meant, so I just went to homeroom and then they told us.”

In the beginning of the school year, the high school administration put a new substance abuse policy into place. In short, the policy has zero tolerance of any illegal substance intake during the duration of the school year. The policy also prohibits Wayland students from being in the presence of others who are consuming substances illegally, a rule designed to crack down on drinking parties and other common drug use.

“I heard rumors that it was going to happen, but I didn’t know it was going to be today,” said Wayland junior Jason Simches. “Kids were up against the windows looking at the dogs, they were wondering whether the dogs were going to come into homerooms or stay outside.”

“A lot of people were just excited that there were dogs around our school, they thought it was cool,” added Hubbuch. “I don’t think anyone was worried. I personally thought it was needed, because a lot of people smoke. It’s so obvious too.”

UPDATE: “Its never happened here, and that’s odd truth be told,” said Tutwiler in an interview with WSPN. “At peer schools, other schools in the Dual County League, it’s pretty regular. The fact that it hasn’t happened here is a little strange to be honest with you, given the problem we have. If we didn’t have a problem it wouldn’t be strange.”

When asked, most students weren’t surprised that nothing was found, however some weren’t happy about being searched. “A lot of people thought it wasn’t fair,” said senior Jenn Adler. “They were questioning their rights.”

UPDATE: “I don’t want people to think that I don’t trust them,” said Tutwiler. “I do want people to know that there’s a problem here, and that I’m serious about trying to do something about. Is it going to fix it? I’m not crazy, okay I’m probably a little crazy, but I’m a realist. I’m a pragmatist, I know that this isn’t going to end the problem, but I think it sends a pretty clear message that I’m willing to go to this length to keep kids safe.”

Melanie Wang and Basil Halperin contributed to this report.
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