Next, we want to thank our emergency responders. Their preparation and quick actions over the past 24-hours have saved lives, and eased the burden of this disaster for all of us. We cannot thank you enough.

As superintendent of Moore Public Schools, I want you all to know that safety is our main priority. Yesterday our administrators, staff, teachers, and students put our crisis plan into action immediately. We monitored the weather throughout the day, and when it was time to shelter, we did just that. A tornado’s path is highly unpredictable, but with very little notice, we implemented our tornado shelter procedures at every school site.

Throughout the school year, we are required by the state to conduct tornado drills. At Moore Public Schools, we exceed that state requirement. When our children are at school, they are in our care. I want to emphasize that safety is our main priority, and the decisions we make are always with their safety in-mind.

I don’t need to tell you that Moore Public Schools, the City of Moore, and south Oklahoma City have suffered a devastating natural disaster. We are in the process of learning as much as we can about what has happened, and are reviewing our emergency procedures.

Please keep us in your thoughts as we work to rebuild our community.