Code: JHHA-AR
Adopted: 3/22/93; 4/9/07
Orig. Code(s): R876
Crisis Prevention and Response
Verify the Incident
As soon as possible following emergency procedures, the staff member in charge will verify the facts relative to the incident by contacting the involved individuals.
Notifying Staff, Students and Other Appropriate Agencies
1. The principal or designee shall be notified immediately following an incident. The principal, in conjunction with the superintendent, will be the liaison with the media and emergency response agencies.
2. The principal determines the level of crisis and notifies members of the crisis response team.
3. The crisis response team meets with the principal to determine responsibilities and the level of response.
4. Inform staff and students.
The principal convenes a staff meeting, implements a phone tree or circulates an informational memo depending on the time and circumstances. All staff are to be included.
5. The principal provides written information for teachers to be read to all students at a specified time. Where this is not possible, steps will be taken to ensure that affected students receive similar information as soon as possible.
6. The principal provides information to support staff regarding answering public and media inquiries.
Implementing the Plan
The Crisis Response Team will be released from their normal duties. The principal may hire substitutes for other staff members and extend normal work schedules as required.
Safe Rooms will be provided for students and team members as needed.
Required Tasks:
1. Determine students with greatest need;
2. All areas of the building will be monitored for students and staff members experiencing distress;
3. In the case of death of either a student or staff member, a team member will follow that individual's schedule as appropriate to assist in dealing with the crisis;
4. Review needs of affected students and their families.
Follow Up
The principal convenes meetings with the Crisis Team daily as needed to monitor and adjust the delivery of services.
The principal keeps staff members and students apprised of further information as appropriate.
After the immediate crisis, the Team debriefs, evaluates their performance, and makes adjustments to the plan as needed.
The principal and Team continue to monitor the needs of affected individuals and provide follow-up services as needed.
Each building principal is responsible for developing a building crisis response plan and providing a copy to the district Safety Officer. Every plan shall address each of the following components:
1. Levels of crisis and individuals to be involved at each level;
2. Describe the roles of key members of the building response team including outside resources;
3. Designate counseling or safe areas;
4. Provisions shall be made to review the plan at least annually, to provide in-service training as needed and to distribute copies to all staff;
5. Consideration shall be given to what changes might be made in the normal school day including classes, transportation, food service and evacuation;
6. Communications guidelines should be outlined.