Local schools learning from Moore, Okla. tornado

ELKHART, Ind. -- As the images from Moore, Oklahoma show, little can stand up to the force of an EF-5 tornado. Where you are in a building, especially a large building like a school, could mean the difference between life and death.

Two schools were affected by the EF-5 tornado. One of the schools was destroyed and children and teachers had to be pulled from the rubble. Seven children did not make it.

How ready are local schools?

"We're here because we love the kids and the thought of losing a kid is a lot. It's a lot to take,” said Jon Levan, Principal of Woodland Elementary.

Levan says learning from Monday’s tragedy is critical.

"What can we do at Woodland to better prepare for a situation like this. Or what do we have in place that is correct that we maybe need to improve on?” said Levan.

The school's current procedure says all students must go to their safe location, like an interior room, when a tornado warning has been issued.

"The students would be sitting on their knees, covering the backs of their heads facing the wall and that way they are protecting their bodies as much as possible,” said Levan.

Students are spread out throughout the school so no room is overloaded and each child has a space against the wall.

"That way we can ensure that if the roof were to collapse, each child would have a triangle of about 3 feet next to the wall where they would be safe,” said Levan.

As was evident in Moore, location during the storm is key.

"I think the one thing we can learn is that the interior walls of course are the safest place to have the students, lower ceilings, keeping the kids in the best possible location to be safe,” said Levan.

Levan says he sent reminders out to his staff about the procedures Tuesday.

• Keep calm when talking to kids about the event. It is important to monitor your own demeanor around kids when discussing the disaster.
• Minimize exposure to news and images about the incident.
• Don’t' sweep it under the rug, but the more they hear and see the more anxious they'll be
• Do not give kids a sense of false reassurance. Do not say things like, "you are safe." or "that won't happen here." Instead, say things like, "there is a very small chance that could happen/it is unlikely." and "There are lots of people who will do everything they can to keep you safe." 
• Kids may need more attention during this time.
• Keep up a normal routine
• Talk about what you would do in a severe whether threat. Practice/drill at home.