Crisis Management

Communication Action
Plan

EA 748
Andrea, Jeremy, and Kristin
Action Plan Issue

While our school districts do what they need to do in regards to state mandated
fire, tornado, and lockdown drills, we felt that there was a clear lack of parent and
community communication in case an immediate threat to student safety were
to take place.
Prevention Strategies

The most important consideration in Crisis Management is the health, safety,

and welfare of the students and staff of our schools. We feel that a good Crisis
Management Plan places a strong emphasis on prevention using strategies
which range from building design to discipline policies and programs which
improve school culture.
Stage 1-Build a Crisis Management Team

Purpose: They will implement and adapt appropriate action from the Crisis
Management Plan to address the specific events of the crisis.

Members: The crisis team shall consist of an immediately accessible core group
who have the knowledge and skills to act in any emergency and shall include the
principal, assistant principal, one or more guidance counselors, school
psychologist, social worker, one or more of selected teacher-leaders throughout
the school, and specifically a person to record events/minutes of meetings.

Additionally, the local police department (school liaison officer), fire department,
and emergency rescue services. A roster of team members will be posted in
each school administration office with contact information.
Stage 2-Crisis Management Plan

We feel that elementary and secondary schools will have slightly different plans but all will include
provisions for Pre-Planning, Intervention/Response, and Post-emergency activities, including the
establishment or designation of the following;

1. Explicit procedures for each crisis 6. Communication plan within the

incident school & to the community*****

2. Crisis headquarters and command posts 7. Critical Incident Management

3. Chain of command 8. Arrangement for support services

4. Spokesperson to the media 9. Bring closure to crisis

5. Network of key communicators 10. Evaluation of the crisis plan

Communications

Communication is a critical part of crisis management.

-School staff members and students must be told what is happening and what to do.

-Parents of students and families of staff members must be informed about the situation, including the
status of their child or family member.

-Timely contact with law enforcement and other emergency services is necessary

-School Board members must be kept up-to-date information to communicate to Central Office

-Groups (PTSA, advisory councils, etc…) can assist with getting accurate information into the
community
Communicate with the Teachers FIRST
The BEST means of communication may vary with the crisis but we feel that for
each plan to be implemented accurately and efficiently that the teachers need to
know what the threat is so they can be prepared themselves.

EX: Sending well-informed representatives ready to go into classrooms with the

same information.

Common mistake: Sending an all staff email-then making an announcement via

the PA or having an all school assembly. Results can be unpredictable and
scares students.
Communications with Parents & Community

1. Communicate BEFORE a crisis occurs

a. Put the plan on your school website
b. Parent open houses and other informal meetings
c. E-blasts and reminders of plan for parent to review with student
d. Tweet and/or post about where parents can find the plan on the website
2. Communicate Facts only
a. Tell parents exactly what is known to have happened. Do not embellish or speculate
3. Implement the plan to manage phone calls and parents who show up at
school
4. Schedule a question- and-answer meeting for parents as soon after the
incident as possible
Communications with Media

1. Contact is generally channeled through one person

a. Deal up-front with reporters. Be honest, forthright and establish good communication with
the media before problems or a crisis occurs
2. Do not try to stonewall the media or keep them from doing their job
3. The school should decide what to say, define the ground rules, issue a
statement, and answer questions within the limits of confidentiality.
4. Identify a single information source
5. Advise school staff of media procedures
6. Advise students of the media policy
Conclusion & Summary of Plan

1. Pre-plan
a. Get information out to your parents prior to a crisis happening
b. Crisis Management Team
2. Communicate
a. With teachers, students, parents, police officers, central office, and the media
3. Follow-Up
a. Follow up memos, meetings, assemblies, or emails