Supporting Materials: Informing the Students and Staff
Many administrators prefer not to make a P.A. announcement when there has been a crisis event that affects the school. There is no hard and fast rule here. It depends in part on the situation and in part on the ability of the administrator to use the P.A. in an effective manner.
The most common means of communication is a note to teachers and school staff members. Such communications should be made as quickly as feasible and should be done in a clear and open manner (providing all known information). In turn, teachers and staff are directed to inform students, doing so with concern and caring. If feasible, students should be informed in small-group settings where questions can be answered, rumors clarified, and concerns addressed.
The following is a sample of a statement used to provide staff and students with relevant information about the death of a student.
We regret to inform you of the death of [name]. S/he died on [date] as a result of [cause]. At times such as these, it is important for everyone to be informed and to have some time to express their thoughts and feelings. Part of first period will be used for such sharing. In addition, we encourage anyone who is very upset to come to room [ ], where staff members will be available throughout today to help. Staff members will also be available on request over the next two days should anyone want further assistance. Such assistance can be obtained by [explain process]. As soon as the information is available, we will circulate a notice about funeral arrangements and provisions for attending if the funeral is during school hours. |
Reference
Center for Mental Health Services at UCLA (2000). A Resource Aid Packet on Responding to a Crisis at a School. Los Angeles, CA: Author.
|
Return to Day 2: Responding to a Crisis. |
 |
||||||||||||
|
TOC |
|
||||||||||
| |
||||||||||||
