CODE: 5141.6
SECTION: PUPILS
CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
The West Milford Board of Education is concerned with the safety and emotional well-being of students, staff, and parents. Recognizing that crises do arise, the West Milford Board of Education wishes to ensure that appropriate action is taken immediately. In order to accomplish this, a crisis management plan has been developed to manage crises that impact the safety and emotional well-being of students, staff, and parents. The crisis management plan integrates and utilizes district and community resources in a comprehensive manner. The West Milford Board of Education recognizes the importance of promoting prevention programming for students, staff, and parents.
PROCEDURES
I. Definition of Crisis
Crisis is defined as:
Any event in the school and/or community that may compromise the safety of the school community and/or lead to emotional distress, psychological trauma, or severe and prolonged stress. Situations include, but are not limited to the death of a student, staff member or family member, attempted suicide(s), series of deaths, school violence, or threats of violence.
II. Awareness and Prevention
It is essential for students and staff to develop an awareness of crises and learn how to prevent them.
The following recommendations should be made part of regular school operations:
A. Conduct programs for the staff on crisis awareness, prevention, and management.
B. Provide programs for students and parents on crisis awareness, prevention, and management.
C. Provide information and resources regarding crisis awareness, prevention, and management.
D. Inform the entire school community regarding the crisis management plan, policy, and procedures.
E. A copy of the crisis management plan policy and procedures will be made readily available in all school buildings.
F. Review the crisis management policy and procedures annually and make revisions when deemed appropriate.
III. The Reporting Process
A. All crises must be reported without exception to the principal or his/her designee in a timely manner.
B. The reporting process can be initiated by any member of the school community.
C. The principal or his/her designee will gather all relevant information and when deemed necessary assemble an immediate meeting of the building crisis management team. When the decision has been made to assemble the building crisis management team, the Superintendent of Schools will be notified immediately. In the event the Superintendent of Schools is not available, the Director of Education must be notified. Notification will also be provided to the Director of Special Services.
D. Once the crisis management team has convened, the principal will refer to the Crisis Management Plans for their respective building.
E. The crisis management team will be involved throughout the crisis until disposition is set.
IV. Communication
Once safety is assured and interim support is in place:
A. The crisis management team will determine if contact with outside agencies is necessary and who will serve as liaison.
B. The crisis management team must contact the parents of the students directly involved and will determine to what extent other parents may be contacted.
C. If a determination is made that the student should be released directly to the parent(s), the parent(s) will be requested to come to the school immediately. If the parent(s) are reluctant to pick up the student or are not in agreement with the team’s recommendation regarding emergency services, the principal has the authority to call any agency, organization and/or professional that may provide assistance (i.e., Division of Youth and Family Services).
D. If a determination has been made that emergency services are needed, the parent(s) shall be notified that they must provide documentation that a student may return to school at a mandatory reentry meeting with the principal.
V. Follow-Up Activities
Prior to the return of the student, the principal shall meet with the crisis management team and other staff members, when appropriate, to discuss a plan of action that addresses the needs of the student returning, other students, and/or staff.
Information, if available, should be obtained from any professionals, agencies and/or organizations with which the student was involved. This information should be shared with the appropriate staff members and parents of students who are directly involved. Any recommendation and/or sharing of information must be considered in relation to the school’s responsibility, district policy, legal mandates and confidentiality.
First Reading: December 12, 2000
Adopted: December 19, 2000