Gadsden Elementary School District #32 Conduct First Reunification Drill of School Year at Arizona Desert Elementary School
SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Gadsden Elementary School District No. 32 (GESD) conducted its first reunification drill of the 2026-2027 school year on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Arizona Desert Elementary School, providing students and staff an opportunity to practice procedures designed to support a safe, organized response during an emergency.
This year’s reunification drills mark an important change in procedure. While last year’s exercises involved transporting students to an off-site reunification location, this year’s drills are being conducted on-site, as required by law. The updated process allows schools to practice establishing and managing a reunification operation directly on campus while continuing to evaluate communication, accountability and student release procedures.
The exercise was structured to closely simulate the conditions of an actual emergency. Once the reunification notification was issued, staff activated their assigned roles and began setting up the reunification process. From the time staff began reunification procedures, the process was completed in under an hour. This approach provided a realistic opportunity to evaluate how quickly teams could respond, communicate and carry out their responsibilities under real-time conditions.
“The safety of our students and employees remains one of our highest priorities, and exercises like this allow our schools to put their training into practice,” President De La Hoya said. “I was proud to see our staff working together, following established procedures and remaining focused throughout the drill. Their preparation and commitment are essential to making sure our schools are ready when it matters most.”
“Preparation is about knowing what to do and being able to carry it out effectively when the situation requires it,” Vice President Concha said. “Seeing our staff put these procedures into action reinforces the importance of training, communication and teamwork. We appreciate everyone at Arizona Desert Elementary for taking this responsibility seriously and for the work they do every day to keep our students safe.”
Following the exercise, GESD will review observations and feedback to identify opportunities to further strengthen its reunification procedures and emergency preparedness protocols. Additional reunification drills will be conducted throughout the district during the school year, providing schools with continued opportunities to practice established procedures, reinforce staff responsibilities and enhance readiness as GESD remains committed to maintaining safe and prepared learning environments for all students and employees.
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