Crisis Management Plan for Middle Schools

Student safety is the core of every middle school crisis management plan.

Crisis management planning is integral to middle school students' safety. Proper planning can anticipate problems and establish coordinated responses that avert or minimize the effects of a crisis on the students, the school and the community at large. According to the U.S. Department of Education's document, "Practical Information on Crisis Planning: a Guide for Schools and Communities," a comprehensive crisis management plan includes contingencies for mitigation and prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Mitigation and Prevention

This first part of the plan details steps that schools and their districts can take to eliminate or reduce risk of damage to property and harm to human life. This part of the plan assumes that the more work done in the mitigation and prevention of crises, the lower the likelihood of a serious crisis occurring. Topics include evaluations of school policies regarding student violence, a security analysis of the school building and grounds, and outreach plans for establishing a joint response team of parents, law enforcement officials and other members of the community.

Preparedness

This second part of the plan outlines the planning process for assessing threats and handling worst-case scenarios. At its forefront is a crisis response team of teachers, administrators and other school employees trained and ready to perform certain specific duties in the event of a crisis. This section lists evacuation plans, including alternative sites where students will be brought until the crisis abates. The National Educational Association (NEA) also recommends preparing a "Go Box" or a portable case containing the students' emergency contact information, a cell phone and a copy of the crisis management plan.

Response

This third part of the plan discusses how to act in the event that a crisis occurs. The range of crises is vast and each has its own set of contingencies to follow in order to respond properly. Response plans should exist for such situations as a change in the Homeland Security Threat Level, a school fire, a security breach or a student suicide. Depending on the situation, proper responses may range from issuing a lockdown to evacuating the building to simply canceling classes for the day. Part of a thorough response system involves methods for transmitting emergency messages to the outer community.

Recovery

The fourth and final part of the plan focuses on ways to reestablish the healthy educational environment at the school following a crisis. At this stage, school administrators meet with all involved parties to debrief them on the crisis, discuss necessary interventions, and determine when to reopen the school. This stage of the plan focuses on reestablishing a supportive and caring environment for students where they feel safe to heal from the crisis and return to learning.

References

• US Department Of Education: Practical Information on Crisis Planning
• Crisis Management International: Creating Your School's Crisis Management Team
• PLE Group, Professional Law Enforcement: School Crisis Management Plan
• Prince William County Public Schools: Crisis Management
• Dorchester School District Two: Crisis Management Plan
• Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School: Crisis Management Plan 2010-2011

Resources

• Readiness And Emergency Management For Schools: Technical Assistance Center
• US Department of Education: A Guide to School Vulnerability Assessments
• National School Safety And Security Services: School Crisis Plans And School Emergency Plans