Print School Safety from A to Z

School Safety from A to Z brings some order to the chaos of school safety planning.

   Consider the following prevention points and issues:

A.    School Ecology, Universal Measures and Effective Behavior Support. School policies should set clear limits; school atmosphere should build hope and positive relations; students should be successful; assets should be emphasized and enhanced.

B.   Targeted measures. Individually tailored measures for alienated or at-risk youth.

C.   Problem identification and data collection.

D.   Staff training in constructive behavioral intervention and confrontation management.

E.   Student training in empathy, anger management, problem solving and conflict resolution.

F.   Crisis planning with specific scenarios and corresponding flip charts to guide decisions about lockdowns, directed response, room clears, evacuations, school cancellation or early dismissals.

G.   Physical ecology of the school. (See Safe School Design, below)

H.   Physical ecology of the surrounding community; risks and resources nearby.

   The following crisis management concerns require attention:

I.   Location issues: indoor vs. outdoor crises; isolation and the availability of resources.

J.   Teacher role: your actions as a target are different from your actions as a witness.

K.   Offender characteristics: your response will be different for intruders, strangers, relatives, ex-students and students.

L.   Verbal and physical intervention.

M.   Multi-tasking: protecting students and yourself while intervening and calling for help.

N.   Confrontation management specifics; de-escalation techniques.

O.   Staff intervention as reinforcement for pro-social skills being taught.

P.   Policy violations vs. criminal behavior.

   Finally, aftermath planning is essential, covering:

Q.   Contacting 9-1-1 and the crisis team.

R.   Identifying the danger zone, securing a perimeter and opening command posts.

S.   Student release procedures, accountability and reassurance.

T.   Emotional and physical health care.

U.   Communication and rumor control.

V.   Documentation.

W.   Research and follow-up on similar events elsewhere

X.   Establish safe rooms for counseling; on-call short notice substitutes.

Y.   Healing, re-integration, conferencing, accountability and first day back plans.

Z.   Memorial service management.