Students experience Early Dismissal due to structural damage to the gymnasium. The district office and Londonderry Fire Department made a consultation to release students early. 

On March 7. 2024 at 11:43 am, administration came over the intercom to deliver a sudden early delay to all students in the building, starting with those parked in the main parking lot. 

According to Superintendent, Dan Black, As of 1:53:57 pm The LHS gym and main parking lot are closed to students and the rest of the community. Over the weekend the roofing company will be assessing the status of the gymnasium roof while keeping administration advised of the procedures they will be taking. 

Senior Reya Rivera was in Honors Anatomy when she first heard the intercom. 

“I was so scared I didn’t know what to think,” Rivera said. “I am a senior and we have never had an early dismissal before.”

Rivera voiced that it came “out of nowhere” but faculty that she was near in the building, had an understanding that this was happening. 

“It was so sudden too,” Rivera said. “But Girv [Jessica Girvin] sounded like she knew about it.”

Many students found themselves believing that the announcement was due to a drill, junior Katelin Blomgren agreed, remembering that we normally receive an email before. 

“I freaked out because I thought the gym roof had caved in,” Blomgren said. “At first when I heard the announcement I just thought it was a drill.” 

Junior Abby Floyd, also had wondered what was happening as students were left out of the loop. Her first thought was, “Is the gym going to collapse on us?” 

Many students feeling left out of information, had strong concern for what was going on. 

Some students partake in the ability to have an open campus, leaving some students off of the campus when the situation occurs. Junior Lindsay LaBossier had just returned from open campus, as she was truly “confused” on why everyone was outside. 

“I was walking to my car and I heard the loudspeakers outside,” LaBossier said. “I saw Mr.O’Connor putting cones out on the end of the main lot like they are at the end of the day.” 

LaBossier’s friend, junior Avery Stowell, informed LaBossier of the latest update that they had received from the administration. 

“I asked someone what was happening and he said they’re dismissing everyone,” LaBossier said. “I texted my friend Avery and she said that something happened with the gym and that everyone was going home.

Students had a 50/50 reaction when it came to being nervous about what was taking place within the school, but excited to seek an early start to their weekend. 

Junior Lexi Thibodeau was just surprised about the way the District went about this decision. 

“I was surprised that it was that windy out,” Thibodeau said. “But again, our school has been falling apart a lot this year, I’m just surprised that they dismissed us.” 

All afterschool activities and sports were canceled including Adult Education classes taking place on the night of March 7. Junior Ben Neary was notified shortly after the day school’s release. 

“I was supposed to have to have a class,” Neary said. “They said that they were sending us home.” 

As of the hours, no students were injured or strongly impacted by this incident which happened in the gym. More information and updates to come on the matter as we receive more information from Londonderry High School.