Assessment is the tool that allows schools and communities to create the most effective safety plan for their own needs.  Through assessment, schools can determine what already works, and what areas need further attention.

§      The first step is to hold a community meeting, to determine areas of concern, and to communicate the school district’s commitment to safety.

§      The district begins by forming a District Planning Team to carry out the initial assessment.  This team functions only during the initial development of the plan. 

§      Crisis Action Teams are formed in each school to assist administration in crisis prevention, management and recovery.  An initial team training session will be included with the plan. 

§      A District Support Team is also formed, which will assist in larger-scale crisis management and recovery.  An initial team training session will be included with the plan. 

§      Next, administration, staff, students, and parents complete surveys regarding safety concerns.

§      Each Crisis Action Team performs a site evaluation at its facility, assessing the building, grounds, and current crisis prevention and management plans. 

§      Together, the teams analyze the results of the assessments and implement any necessary changes.

§      The teams will reassess, update the plan and conduct training drills annually.

Part Two_______________________________________________ Prevention

The proactive approach to crisis management is prevention.  A district that promotes violence and crisis prevention will communicate a feeling of security to staff and students.  This promotes order, which is vital in a learning environment.  

Prevention measures may be as simple as changing a light bulb, or as complex as photo identification badges for students and staff, complete with a computerized database.  Through assessment, each district will know their prevention needs, for a truly customized plan. 

§      Prevention begins with daily security measures, like building and campus monitoring routines and student dress regulations. 

§      Prevention includes safety and prevention training for staff, students, parents, and community agencies.

§      An anonymous violence tipline and a student assistance hotline, to help students report violence threats or obtain support when troubled are a part of the SOS Plan.

Part Three_______________________________________ Crisis Management

While prevention measures can decrease the occurrence of crises or reduce the probability of certain situations, the best plan in the world will not eliminate all tragedies.  The SOS Plan includes step-by-step crisis management plans, ready to be customized for each school. 

§      Individual crisis management roles are defined. 

§    Evacuation, lockdown, and shelter plans are included, along with lists of possible uses.

§      Unique to the SOS Plan is a Crisis Quick Reference, which lists every conceivable situation. This allows for rapid location of the correct crisis plan, even if you call the situation something different than we did.  It also lists district policies pertaining to the situation.

§    Crisis plans include situations inherent to all schools, and those limited to certain schools, due to their location.

§      Emergency phone list, Command Structure Chart, Crisis Kit, phone and written notification templates are included, ready to be customized.

Part Four_______________________________________ Post-Crisis Recovery

Another vital component often lacking from crisis plans is recovery.  The SOS Plan leads schools and communities through every aspect of healing after tragedy. 

§      Guidelines are offered to manage school, media and community needs immediately following the event, day by day, through ongoing recovery.

§      Among handouts included are Helping Children Through Crisis, Normal and Unhealthy Responses to Crisis and a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Model.

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