An earthquake rattled classrooms across the Northeast on Friday, leaving students and teachers feeling their desks rumble and whiteboards vibrate in the middle of the school day. Despite the initial shock, most schools continued with their normal routines.
In Manhattan, one principal reassured families that everyone was fine after feeling a slight shake. However, in several districts, officials conducted safety inspections and emergency staff swept through buildings to check for problems. In Connecticut, a middle school evacuated students after being impacted by the quake.
While some schools cleared hallways and kept students indoors for lunch, others issued shelter-in-place orders to calm anxious children. Many districts urged parents not to rush to pick up their children early, emphasizing that the safest place for students was in school.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and schools chancellor David C. Banks reported no injuries to students or educators. Dismissal and after-school activities were expected to proceed as usual. At a Bronx charter school, staff members were prepared to find the safest spot for children if necessary.
Some schools turned the earthquake into a learning opportunity. In Pennsylvania, students experienced a classroom seismometer in action during a science quiz. Teachers in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood planned to incorporate the earthquake into future lessons.
Despite the unexpected event, schools in the Northeast handled the situation calmly and responsibly, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff.
