With the sound of the alarm, 750 students and staff evacuated NUHS and proceeded down Oak Street to Garden Street and then 12th North.

New Ulm High School has had a relocation plan in place for several years, but the school has never conducted a practice drill. Assistant Principal Joe Lopez said he wanted the students to know where to go in case of a dire emergency.

There are multiple reasons the high school may need to relocate students and staff, including a fire, gas leak, or possibly an active shooting situation.

Superintendent Sean Koster said another part of the drill was clearing the building. Two police officers went through the school room by room to evacuate students and staff.

New Ulm High School students practice a relocation drill Friday. Following an evacuation alarm, the students walked out of the building and followed Oak Street down hill away from the school.

Koster said in most relocation scenarios all students would have first been evacuated to the parking lot before moving to another location. For this reason the students walking down Oak Street relocating in phases rather than as a single group.

New Ulm Police were stationed at every intersection the students crossed to direct traffic if needed. Police Chief David Borchert, stationed on Garden at the bottom of Oak Street hill, said the drill went smoothly. He made a point to explain to the drivers on Garden Street that a school drill was being conduct. Many of the drivers were already aware of the drill.

“I am glad they are practicing this,” Borchert said. “Its good for students to have practical experience in the event the real thing happens.”

New Ulm High School students and staff took an early morning stroll down Oak Street Friday as part of relocation drill. This was the first time the school had practice the relocation.

Around 750 students and staff from New Ulm High School walked down Oak Street hill as part of relocation drill.