Castro Valley Students to Participate in State-Wide Earthquake Drill

Millions of people throughout California, including students and staff in the , will take time Thursday morning to prepare for any future earthquakes as part of the Great California ShakeOut.

All schools within the district, except are expected to participate. Due to their homecoming festivities, students at CVHS are scheduled to go through a similar drill on Oct. 27.

According to the event's website, 8.4 million people will participate in the Great California ShakeOut.

The event is a way for the California Earthquake Authority to stage a statewide earthquake drill.

Close to 9,000 local students and staff will participate in the drill for the fourth year in a row. They are expected to drop and duck under a table. While under the table, participants are encouraged to reflect about what would fall near or around them in the event of a real quake.

The event will begin at 10:20 a.m. in Castro Valley with a duck-and-cover drill, followed by an evacuation.

"We hope this drill as well as other drills will first of all, minimize fatalities, injuries and property damage in the event our students were exposed to a major earthquake," said Dr. Tony Shah, Director of Student Services for CVUSD. "Research shows students feel safer after participating in drills like the Great ShakeOut and are therefore more apt to learn and feel more connected to their educational setting."

To learn more about the event, including how you can register to participate, visit www.shakeout.org.