Just as the first day of school was underway for students across Southern California, a 4.4 earthquake struck at 12:20 p.m.

During period four, shortly following the earthquake, an announcement was made forcing all classes to evacuate to the football field. 

The evacuation was mandated to eliminate casualties in the event of an aftershock.

Students and teachers filed out of their classrooms to the sweltering heat, many complaining that the evacuation was unnecessary and annoying because of the temperature outside. 

Senior Alexis Martinez simply stated the evacuation was “stupid” and “very unnecessary”.

The students were outside for 26 minutes before being sent back into classrooms.

While the students of Van Nuys had never been forced to evacuate after earthquakes before, theatre teacher Mr. Justin Baldridge explained evacuations may become standard protocol.

“When something like this happens, and we all have to evacuate, it’s good for the school,” he said. “It counts as one of our practice drills and evacuations for the year.”