Plugged In

Better Be Prepared

• PRINT
• EMAIL

While a GAO survey conducted in May 2007 indicates almost every district has some sort of emergency preparedness plan, most are rudimentary at best—without, for example, procedures for special needs students or for continued student education in the event of an extended closure. Additionally, many school districts still do not have procedures for training regularly with first responders and community partners. Do you?

How the Feds Will Help

• The Department of Education (DOE) publishes a guide for schools and communities titled Practical Information on Crisis Planning that explains, among other things, how schools can prepare for an emergency. DOE also offers two one-and-a-half-day training sessions that provide school personnel with critical training on emergency management issues, resources, and practices. The trainings emphasize plan development and enhancement within the framework of four phases of emergency management: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/crisisplanning.html

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created a Web site, How Schools Can Become More Disaster Resistant, which provides guidance for teachers and parents regarding how to prepare emergency management plans. The site also discusses how to identify and mitigate hazards, develop response and coping plans, and implement safety drills. http://www.fema.gov/kids/schdizr.htm

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers online courses, including one on emergency management planning for schools. http://training.fema.gov/EmiWeb/IS/is362.asp

• The Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) distributed 96,000 NOAA radios to public schools in the United States in 2005 and 2006. These radios are intended to notify school officials of hazards in their area 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even when other means of communication are disabled

Emotional Development: Creating an Emotionally Safe Classroom
Perry discusses Creating an Emotionally Safe Classroom where new students come to enjoy school and love learning.

How to Teach Children About Living in a World With Violence
Presents a step-by-step guide for teaching children about living in a world with violence, and provides answers to teachers' common questions about children and violence.

LESSON PLAN

Let's Learn About Firefighters! Presents a lesson plan focusing on fire safety and prevention through reading, writing, and brain storming sessions.