Or at least that's what could have happened. In this case, it was all an act. VandenBerg was participating in an earthquake drill on May 31 that simulated the school's response in the event of a real earthquake.

While monthly fire drills are held at the school, earthquake drills happen only once a year. Every school in the Saratoga Union School District had the chance to participate in the earthquake drill last week. The drill wasn't just a typical "duck, cover and hold" activity where students crawled under their desks. It was a staged production featuring simulated injuries, a first aid station, emergency supplies, an incident commander, search-and-rescue teams, operators with hand-held radios, unsafe overhangs and signs marking leaking gas.

The activity was conducted with the help of a districtwide wellness committee headed by Marybarbara Zorio, Saratoga Elementary School principal. The committee includes parents, teachers, staff and delegates from the Saratoga Fire District and Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department. The group meets regularly to raise awareness about safety and various issues among Saratoga's public schools.

"With a fire, you have to leave the doors closed, but with earthquakes, you're supposed to leave them open," said parent volunteer and committee member Rina Shah. "People often think it's the same drill for both, but it's not."

Representatives including James Young and paramedic Stephanie Yule from Saratoga Fire District's Engine 30 were on hand to observe the activity as part of their training. The drill started when Zorio read a script over the public announcement system.

"Imagine that you hear a low, rumbling or roaring sound. You may even feel a jolt. It could feel to you like someone suddenly slammed on the brakes in the car or like a truck just hit the side of our building," she said. "Your teacher may say, 'Earthquake--duck, cover and hold.' The floor may seem to be moving beneath you. It may be hard to stand up or even stay in your seat."

As Zorio reads the script, novels fell from bookcases, hanging light fixtures and plants began to sway and a window shattered and glass spewed across the floor. She told students that the shaking and commotion could last as long as 60 seconds. About a minute later the students, who were instructed to stay covered under their desks, were escorted out of their classrooms. They lined up silently outside the school on the grass field.

"They took it very, very seriously," fifth-grade teacher Debbie Tanguay said.

Teachers had emergency backpacks filled with supplies such as helmets, first aid kits, batteries, flashlights, cold packs, water and gloves. Saratoga Fire District Capt. Bill Morrison said his goal was to help the staff be as self-reliant as possible.

"In the event of an earthquake, we don't know how long our response time would be," Yule added. "Our priorities are life, property and the environment."

Third-grader Abby Leslie suffered a head injury under her desk and fourth-grader McKenna Galvin had a broken leg. They were cared for by district nurse Cristina Lee and school secretary Dianne Shanholtz. The entire drill took about 30 minutes and was followed by a wellness committee de-briefing.