The fire alarm went off unexpectedly during sixth period Oct. 10 due to water pressure abnormalities, forcing students and staff to exit the building.

A fire truck and ambulance arrived on the scene shortly thereafter; they determined that the alarm was triggered by a drop in water pressure and that it was safe for students to return into the building, principal Alan Goodwin said.

Senior Jenna York was driving back into the parking lot when she saw the emergency vehicles outside, she said.

“It was especially concerning to come back from Starbucks to find the entirety of Whitman students standing in front of the school alongside fire trucks and ambulances, ” York said.

The situation also confused junior Mackenzie Costley, who was in the parking lot for lunch.

“It was really weird to see everyone walking out of school during sixth period because we never have planned drills during lunch periods,” Costley said. “We were all wondering what was going on.”

Goodwin distributed a letter explaining the situation to Whitman parents during eighth period.

When students re-entered the building, an announcement was made that sixth period had been extended by 15 minutes.

Some students weren’t happy about seventh period being shortened. Junior Reed Leventis raised concerns about the effects and nature of the fire alarm.

“I had a calculus test so it was annoying that it got shortened,” Leventis said. “But, it was nice to get a break.”