Team Members
School Site Crisis Team Roster
Chain of Command
Work
Position/Role Name e-mail Home Cell Phone / Position for
Phone
Phone Pager Triage Area
Mauretta MJohnson5@ebrschools. 752-6462 938-6754
Principal
Hurst org
Asst. Principal
Asst. Principal
Pupil Appraisal
Robertine RBruns@ebrschools.org 357-5953 658-9786 276-4516
Counselor Bruns
Kris KGuerin@ebrschools. 212-1243
School Nurse
Guerin org
I-CARE
Specialist
Patti PStiles@ebrschools.org 357-5953 262-5199 931-7362
Secretary
Stiles
Food Service Johnnie 357-5953
Manager Young
Custodian Arthur 357- 924-5236
Smith 5953
SRO
Community Fire Department, EMS, Clergy, etc. could be invited to attend meetings.
CPR/First Aid Certified Persons in School Building Along with Members of the Parish Crisis Team
Name Room # Certification (check):
Patti Stiles Office CPR FIRST AID
Tommy Jones Gym CPR FIRST AID
CPR FIRST AID
CPR FIRST AID
The designated meeting place for an on-site emergency faculty meeting is: Office
Team Members
CENTRAL OFFICE CRISIS TEAM ROSTER
Chain of Command
Position/Role Name e-mail Work Phone Home Cell Phone /
Phone Pager
Charlotte D. cplacide@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922-5628 775-2856 572-2015
Superintendent
Placide
Chief Academic Robert Stockwell rstockwell@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922-5596 Not (832)
Officer* available 248-5686
Assoc. Supt. Herman Brister hbrister@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922-5645 627-6370 241-6613
Inst. Support
Services**
Assoc. Supt. of Elizabeth Swinford lduran@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922-5659275-1626 235-2271
Human
Resource**
Domoine Rutledge drutledge@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922-5588 757-7488 933-0844
Legal Counsel
Chief Business Catherine Fletcher
Operations cfletcher@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922-5520 924-6329 610-4373
Officer
Jesse Noble jnoble@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922-5525 654-3731 572-2012
Chief Tech.
Officer
Robert Cooper rcooper@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-226-3432 272-7056 937-6515
Facility Director
Director for Chris Trahan ctrahan@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922-5620 753-1306 274-6657
Communications
Health Care Susan Catchings scatchings@ebrpss.k12.la.us 721-1748
Director
Director of Wayne Messina wmessina@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922-5627 505-7137
Security
Instructional staff shall be contacted by the CAO at the appropriate time to resume instruction.
Asst. Supt. Paula Johnson Pjohnson2@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922- Not 614-4537
Area I 5574 available
Asst. Supt. John McCann JOMcCann@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922- 819-8222 938-9911
Area II 5402
Asst. Supt. Maria Pitre mpitre@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922- 752-3229 276-9517
Area III 5590
Asst. Supt. Paula Fabre pfabre@ebrpss.k12.la.us 225-922- 766-5292 614-6318
Area IV 5592
*Designee in the event the Superintendent is not available
**Next in Command in the absence of the designee
NOTE: Positions are listed in order of command
Team Members
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS/ALERT STATIONS
Referrals State/National Parish/Local
Help Line for Louisiana Emergency Numbers 225-342-6600 211
Crisis Intervention
800-656-4673 383-7273
Rape Crisis Hotline
225-924-3900 225-924-3900
Suicide Prevention
225-226-2273 225-226-2273
I Care Crisis Counseling Services
Victim Assistance
225-925-4571 925-4571
Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Line
Runaway Hotline (for students) 800-621-4000 343-6300
National Center for Missing/Exploited 800-843-5678
Children (for parents)
888-342-6110
Crime Victims Bureau
800-799-7233
Domestic Violence Hotline
Hazardous Materials/Poison
877-925-6595 911
Hazardous Materials Leak Or Spill
800-256-9822
Poison Control Center
Emergency Management Agencies
800-256-7036 389-3035
Office of Emergency Preparedness
Team Members
Use The Following Space to List Other Important Parish Numbers.
Agency Primary Phone Secondary Phone Number
Number
Fire, EMS, Police 911
Local Hospital 356-3361
Entergy 800-368-3749
Office of Emergencies Preparedness 389-3035
Local Red Cross 225-291-4533
Police 911 389-2000
Mayor 389-3100
Fire 911
Drug Hotline 1-800-622-HELP
Sheriff 911 389-5000
Listen to the following radio stations for information regarding a potential or impending emergency:
PARISH FM AM
Baton Rouge 102.5 WLSS 1150 WJBO
Team Members
WARNING AND NOTIFICATION
Call 911, if necessary. Assess life and safety issues first.
Inform Cheryl Lewis, Principal in Office or Mauretta W. Hurst Johnson in Rm. 26 .
Principal/Designee notifies Mrs. Charlotte Placide or Herman Brister
(Telephone numbers are in crisis team members section).
Warn students and staff. If an emergency requires immediate action to protect the safety of
students and staff, activate p.a. announcement
(Warning system: i.e., p.a. announcement, sounding of bell)
Only use coded words in warning, if necessary. Code words used to give directions for
evacuation, lockdown and other actions should be clear and not hazard specific. The Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends using plain language to announce the
need for action, for example, “evacuate” rather than “code red”. With the use of plain language,
everyone in the building, including new staff, substitute teachers, and visitors will know what type
of response is called for.
Code words Emergency Actions
SHELTER IN PLACE SHELTER IN PLACE
EVACUATE EVACUATE FACILITY
SCHOOL LOCK-DOWN LOCK-DOWN, ASSUME
TORNADO POSITION
If immediate action is not required, notify staff at a meeting before or after school hours.
Teachers will debrief students during class unless an assembly or announcement over PA is
preferred.
notifies parent(s) or guardian of victim(s), if necessary.
(Superintendent or designated person)
notifies other schools in district. The school(s) with
siblings of the victim(s) should be called first.
(Superintendent or designated person)
Codes
LOCK-DOWN/SHELTERING PROCEDURES
LOCK-DOWN procedures may be issued in situations involving dangerous intruders or other incidents
that may result in harm to persons inside school building.
Principal will issue lock-down procedures by announcing warning code over PA system, sending
a messenger to each classroom or sounding bells.
PA announcement may be a coded or basic alert. (See Warning and Notification section for
coded warnings.)
Direct all students, staff and visitors into classrooms.
Teachers in classrooms
Lock classroom doors.
Cover windows of classrooms.
Move all persons away from windows and doors.
Allow no one outside of classrooms until all-clear signal is given by Principal or until Law
Enforcement, Fire Official or Emergency Preparedness official evacuates your room.
Teachers are to take class roll book to holding area in room.
Check roll of students
SHELTERING provides refuge for students, staff and public within school building during an emergency.
Shelters are located in areas that maximize the safety of inhabitants. Safe areas may change depending
on emergency.
Identify safe area in each school building.
Principal initiates Crisis Code Alert. Follow procedures.
Principal notifies Superintendent School Level Personnel and Facilities Services.
Teachers assemble class team to cover windows and air leaks around doors, and vents.
Close all exterior doors and windows.
Turn off any ventilation leading outdoors.
Use public address system for communicating instructions to staff and students.
Principal warns students and staff to assemble in safe areas. Take all persons inside building(s).
Teachers take class roster to the safe area.
Crisis Team Management contacts cafeteria manager.
Cover up food not in containers or put it in the refrigerator.
If advised, cover mouth and nose with handkerchief, cloth, paper towels or tissues.
Teachers should account for all students after arriving in the safe area.
All persons must remain in safe areas until notified by Principal or emergency responders. Law
enforcement will issue an “All Clear” code.
Crisis Team Management completes Crisis Documentation Form.
Codes
EVACUATION/RELOCATION CENTER
EVACUATION
Call 911, if necessary.
Principal issues call for Crisis Team to report to office.
Principal issues evacuation procedures and notifies Mrs. Placide, Superintendent
Principal determines whether students and staff should be evacuated outside of building or to
relocation centers.
Crisis Team Member coordinates transportation if students are evacuated to relocation center.
contacts __ ________, and informs him/her that evacuation is taking place.
Principal notifies relocation center.
Direct students and staff to follow fire drill procedures and route. Follow alternate route if normal
route is too dangerous.
Maps should be posted in all classrooms indicating primary and secondary egress routes and
holding areas/assembly points.
Close all windows. Turn off lights, electrical equipment, gas, water faucets, air conditioning and
heating system.
Place evacuation sign in window. Lock doors.
Teachers should ensure all students are out of the classroom and adjoining bathrooms.
Instruct the first student in line to hold open exit door(s) until all persons in the class have
evacuated. Continue this process until the building is clear.
Teachers:
Direct students to follow normal fire drill procedures unless principal alters route.
Take class roster to relocation center.
Close classroom doors and turn out lights.
When outside building, account for all students. Inform principal immediately if student(s) is/are
missing.
If students are evacuated to relocation center, stay with class. Take (call) roll again when you
arrive at relocation center.
Codes
RELOCATION CENTERS
List primary and secondary student relocation centers for each school in district.
The primary site is located close to school. The secondary site is located farther away from
school (in case of community-wide emergency).
Establish a management post at the off-site evacuation location (command post).
Notify Bus Transportation Director (226-3784) for alternate bus schedule.
Law Enforcement will be in charge of evacuation procedures.
Release students (walkers, riders) after parents sign release form.
Complete Crisis Response Documentation Form.
Insert map of Relocation Center identifying different triage areas.
Primary Relocation Center Secondary Relocation Center
Lanier Baptist Church
Address: Address:
4851 Lanier Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70812
Phone: Phone:
225-355-5605
Codes
Criteria for transferring Command
Incident Command System Scenario
A student reports to a teacher that he witnessed another student carrying a weapon.
ICS Activation
At the moment the student reports the issue, the teacher is the Incident Commander.
Teacher Incident Commander
The teacher reports the incident to the principal. The principal determines the nature of the emergency and decides to activate
the Incident Command System. He or she becomes the Incident Commander.
Principal Incident Commander
The principal places the school in lockdown and calls 911 and the district office. The police arrive on the scene and the officer
in charge takes over as the Incident Commander. The principal assist the police.
Police Incident Commander
Principal Unified Command Staff (On Site)
Superintendent District Crisis Management Team (Off Site)
Incident Commander
Codes
CONSIDERATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
If evacuation cannot wait for professional emergency personnel, the students should be carried or
assisted from the building in the safest and quickest manner.
Include in your plan for students with vision, hearing, learning, mobility (wheelchairs, walkers,
braces, crutches) and health impairments (diabetics, students with seizures, tube feedings, etc.)
Make and keep an accessible list of students who are:
Asthmatic
Diabetic
Allergic
And those whose parents have refused the required immunizations
Make arrangements for children who:
Use inhalers for asthma
Are insulin dependent due to diabetes
Need EPI pens for allergies
Consult resources in your school, PT, OT, School Nurse, Instructional Specialist, Vision and
Hearing impaired teachers, for suggestions on your evacuation plan.
Auxiliary staff on campus could be used in your evacuation plan.
Plan for ways to evacuate.
Wheelchair or impaired ambulation: can they be carried, pulled on a mat, blanket, or sheet?
Visual and hearing impaired students: how will you communicate to them the need to evacuate?
Will several students be able to hold hands and be led by an adult?
Students with learning impairments, what instructions will you give to them that they will
understand and follow?
Students with health impairments and / or procedures that might be occurring at the time of an
emergency evacuation. Students, who are receiving a gastrostomy feeding at the time, stop
feeding. A student who may be having a seizure at the time, try to wait until seizure stops if
possible. Check with your School Nurse on your specific students as to what would be the best
plan.
Make a copy of your plan, for your classroom, and make available for any one who may be
working in your classroom with or without you.
Remember to modify as changes occur in your class such as new students, new medical
concerns, etc.
Consider plans for your students if shelter in place is needed.
Codes
COMMUNICABLE/INFECTIOUS/CONTAGIOUS DISEASE
In the event of the outbreak of a communicable/infectious/contagious disease the students who
are not immunized need to be immediately removed from the school site and not allowed to
return until the Office of Public Health clears that site.
DURING A POWER OUTAGE:
Make arrangements for students who need ventilators OR are wheelchair bound and may need
evacuation when the elevator is not available.
Service Areas
TRIAGE AREAS
MEDICAL
Who should be in medical triage?
o CPR/First Aid trained staff
o School Nurse
o Two Crisis Team members as recorders
What will be needed in medical triage?
o Blankets
o First aid supplies
o Gloves
o Water
o Pen and paper
o Markers
o Name tag
Where will medical triage be located?
o Work with law enforcement, EMS and custodian on locations for EMS
arrival
What are Crisis Team member duties in medical triage?
o Assist injured until EMS arrives
o Identify injured
o Record names and hospital location
o Send names of injured and hospital locations to the command post via
walkie talkies
Service Areas
Parent
Type 1 Parent triage area during search and rescue.
Who should be in the parent area?
o Two crisis team members
o Volunteers
o Clergy
o School nurse
o School counselor
o Mental health professionals
What will be needed in the type 1 parent area?
o Blankets
o Coffee
o Food
o Water
o Walkie Talkie
o Pens and paper
o Name tags or hand stamp
o Books or games for children
Where will the type 1 parent area be located?
o This is usually at the off-site location as designated in the Crisis Plan.
What are Crisis Team member duties in type 1 parent area?
o Comfort parents
o Restrict area
o Record names of parents and children involved in the incident as well
as staff members
o Transfer information to command post or medical triage area via
walkie talkies
o Provide parents or staff members’ families with updated information on
the rescue effort
o Inform parents or staff members’ families when loved ones have been
found and hospital location
o Utilize volunteers for activities with younger children and to serve food
Service Areas
Type 2 Parent triage area during student release.
Who should be in the parent type 2 student release area?
o Two crisis team members
o Staff Members who are familiar with students
o Law Enforcement
o School counselor (if available)
What will be needed in parent type 2 student release area?
o List (class roster) of students
o List of staff members
o Release forms
o Emergency cards
o Bull horn
Where will the parent type 2 student release area be located?
o This is usually on campus or at an alternate evacuation site.
What are Crisis Team member duties in the parent type 2 student release
area?
o Check identities of persons picking up children
o Maintain a list of students riding buses or released to parents
Command Post
Who should be in the command post area?
o Two crisis team members
o Law enforcement
o Emergency personnel
o School Board Security
What are Crisis Team member duties in the command post area?
o Maintain documentation
o Monitor requests from parents or medical triage area
Service Areas
Triage Areas
Medical Area:
Room 48………….. School Nurse
Office, Room 48………….. CPR/First Aid
Office, Room 48………….. CPR/First Aid
………….. Recorder of everything going on in area
………….. Recorder of everything going on in area
………….. Backup Recorder
Parent Area Type I:
………….. Parent Table/Releasing students/bring emergency binder to site
………….. Parent Table/Releasing students
………….. Student release/Transport evacuation chest to site
………….. Monitor parent entrance/exit and direct parent so entry and exit are followed
correctly
………….. Backup for release and/or monitoring of entrance and exit doors for parents
………….. Backup
Parent Area Type II:
Robertine Bruns………….. Counselor
………….. Staff to assist with parents
………….. Staff to assist with parents
………….. Backup staff member
Kris Guerin………….. Nurse (may need to get another nurse if one is already at the medical triage)
………….. Clergy
………….. Additional Mental Health Professionals
Command Post:
………….. Administrative Assistant (communicates with outside medical, official personnel
and relays information where necessary)
………….. Backup Administrative Assistant
………….. Maintain documentation
………….. Backup staff member for maintaining documentation and assisting administrative
assistant
Parking Lot/Bus Area:
………….. Block off area with cones for buses to enter and exit and tape signs on cones that
say “Buses Only”
………….. Backup staff member
Service Areas
EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID SUPPLY LIST
The following lists are IDEAL and could be adjusted based on school size and
enrollment. The original lists were recommended by the Louisiana Department of
Justice and adjusted and approved by Health Centers in Schools. Each school
is responsible for obtaining the items listed through school funds or
through donations from individuals or groups.
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR ALL BUILDINGS
(To be stored in the Main Office or maintenance closet.)
RECOMMENDED
ITEM(S)
# OF UNITS
Sheets (one flat twin) 3-5
Blankets 3-5
Flashlights (with * batteries) 3
Radio (hand held) 4
Candles 5
Matches (large box) 2
*Bottled Water (1 liter) 5
Paper Towels 3
Wet Ones (moistened wipes) 2
* To be replaced by school annually.
Service Areas
FIRST AID SUPPLIES
(To be stored in the Nurse’s Station or probably available in site-based health
clinics operated by Health Centers in Schools personnel)
RECOMMENDED
ITEM(S)
# OF UNITS
Gauze (rolls) 8-10
Tape (cloth) 6-8
Tweezers (flat) 1
Instant Ice Packs 10
Disposable Gloves (non-latex) 4
CPR Mask (white plastic cover) we provide our staff
3-4
the ones that come in a orange pouch
Current First Aid Book 1
4 X 4 Inch Gauze Squares 4
Splint Sets (HCCS instructs in 1st aid classes to use
2
magazines or newspapers and strips of cloth)
Anti-bacterial hand gel 2
Band Aides (assorted sizes) 1
Sterile Water (for burns and cleaning wounds along
3
with the soap listed below and eye irrigation)
Bandage Scissors 2
Bandages (strips of cloth) numerous
Ace Bandage (medium) 3
Slings (triangular bandage) 5
Stem Strips (butterfly strips) 1
Vestal Medicated Soap (liquid) 1
Eye Shield (plastic) 3
Floor Plans
In this section insert the following:
Floor plan of the building showing the primary and alternate Evacuation Routes
Site plan of building showing the primary and alternate Assembly Areas outside the
building
Floor plan of building showing the interior Shelter Areas
Emergency Alarm System
List of available Security Equipment: fire extinguishers, hand-held radios,
intercoms, bullhorn, metal detectors, flashlights, cellular phoned, etc. Also include
their locations.
Operational Plan
Operational Plan for the 1st week after the Crisis Incident
Parents,
The school will follow the prepared plan for the daily schedule until it is able to operate in the normal
capacity of a school day.
Students morning drop off time:______________ Location:___________________________
School will begin_______________________
Instructional times
Homeroom - __________________________________
_________ - __________________________________
_________ - __________________________________ Break/recess time:_______________
_________ - __________________________________
_________ - __________________________________ Lunch: 1st shift:_________________
_________ - __________________________________ 2nd shift:_________________
_________ - __________________________________
_________ - __________________________________
Students evening pick up time:______________ Location:___________________________
School dismissal time: ______________________
Operational Plan
Also include in this section:
Revised Bell Schedule
Master Schedule
Recovery
Put on school letterhead
Sample letter for drills
Date
Return Address
Address
Dear Parents,
We will be conducting our tornado, fire and school safety drills periodically throughout the school year.
We have our Crisis Plan in place and need to practice these procedures for the protection and safety of
your children and school staff. We will also practice an evacuation drill to our evacuation site, which is
_______________________________________ located ____________________________. We will let
you know in advance when we will have the evacuation drill off campus.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
[School Principal]
Recovery
Put on school letterhead
Sample letter for incidents or
phone message
Date
Dear Parents,
This letter is coming to you in light of the recent crisis incident at ______________(school name).
We have reviewed the crisis incident and have found everything concerning the incident to be taken care
of by the proper authorities. School for your child will resume on ___________(date). We appreciate
your cooperation and assistance as we continue to keep your child safe.
If you have any special concerns for you or your child and would like them addressed or discussed, please
fill out this form and return it to the office or the school counselor.
Name of Student________________________________________________________________
Name of Parent_________________________________________________________________
Phone number where parent can be reached: ___________________________________________
Area of concern you would like to address and
discuss:______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Please return this sheet to the office or guidance counselor and someone will contact you with a date and
time to meet.
Recovery
Put on school letterhead
Sample letter for incidents or
phone message
Date
Dear Parents,
Due to the recent incident at ______________________________, we will have mental health counselors
at our school on the dates and times listed below. If you feel your child needs to speak with a counselor,
please check the appropriate date and time listed at the bottom and return to school by
_________________.
______No thanks.
______Yes, I would like for a counselor to speak with my child.
Child’s Name____________________________________________________________________
Parent Name_____________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature__________________________________________________________________
Check a time Dates Time
Recovery
Put on school letterhead
Release Form
Date___________________________________ Time________________________________
Student Name:_______________________________________________________________
Teacher______________________________________________________________________
Released from (your location)______________________________________________________
Released to: (please print)_____________________________________________________________
Relationship to child;______________________________________________________________
Signature:_________________________________________________________________
Comments:
Recovery
INCIDENT REPORTING FORM
Date:____________________________
School Reporting:_____________________________________________________________
What happened/kind of Crisis Incident:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Who responded: _________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Time of Incident:_________________________________
Time Incident ended:______________________________
Comments:___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Printed name of person completed form:_______________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________ Date:_____________________
Recovery
CRISIS RESPONSE PROCEDURES REVIEW
School:_____________________________________ Date of Crisis:___________________
Date Reviewed:______________________________
1. Type of Crisis:____________________________________________________________
2. Briefly describe the crisis
situation:_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3. What crisis response procedures were most effective? What worked
well?__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
4. What procedures need to be
improved/modified/changed?_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
5. Any other
comments:______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Crisis Team Members participating in review:
_________________________ ________________________ ___________________
_________________________ ________________________ ___________________
BOMB THREAT CHECKLIST
INSTRUCTIONS: When a bomb threat comes into your office by telephone, print this sheet and fill it out.
Step One: CALL COMES IN
Date Exact Time Length of Call
Step Two: QUESTIONS TO ASK
1. When is the bomb to explode?
2. Where is the bomb located?
3. What does it look like?
4. What kind of bomb is it?
5. What will cause it to explode?
6. Did you place the bomb?
7. Why?
8. Where are you calling from?
9. What is your address?
10. What is your name?
Step Three: DESCRIPTION OF CALLER
Sex of caller Male Female Age
Description of Caller’s Voice
Calm Slow Crying Slurred Stutter
Deep Loud Broken Giggling Accent
Angry Rapid Stressed Nasal Lisp
Excited Disguised Sincere Squeaky Normal
Description of Threat Language
Well Spoken Taped/Recorded Read Message Incoherent Foul/Irrational
If voice is familiar, who did it sound like?
Step Four: BACKGROUND NOISES
Street Noise Crockery Voices PA System Music
House Noise Long Distance Motors Office Machinery Factory Machinery
Animal Noise Clear/No Noise Static Local Noises Telephone Booth
Any other background noises?
Step Five: YOUR INFORMATION
Your Name Your Position
Telephone Number Call School/Site
Was Received
Step Six: CALL SRO/SECURITY
Call SRO and /or 911
Follow BOMB THREAT Procedures
COMPLETE THIS FORM AND GIVE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND/OR SECURITY OFFICERS
Record any additional information about the call on the reverse side of this form. Submit a copy of this completed form along
with a description of execution of the plan as a Bomb Threat Report.
This form is adopted with permission from The University of Texas at San Antonio
Police Department/Office of Emergency Preparedness
RESPONSES TO GRIEF AT SCHOOL (INITIAL)
It is often helpful for the classroom teacher to:
Feel what you feel. You are not expected to be a tower of strength. You have suffered a loss too.
Stick to the facts. Share only what you KNOW to be true. Do not encourage students to speculate.
Expect a range of emotions; this crisis may stir up feelings about other issues in a person’s life. Someone who
does not know the student may grieve over the prior loss of a grandparent, a divorce, etc.
Encourage those who can do so to stay in class and to follow their normal routine.
Recognize that many students will not be able to concentrate or be productive.
Refer students who cannot stay in class to go to the library to meet with I CARE grief counselors. The guidance
staff will be available long-term.
Encourage students to eat, drink and rest as well as they can. Fluids are especially important.
Listen. Be honest and nonjudgmental. Be compassionate and patient.
Take care of yourself.
School personnel can expect to see a range of emotions, including:
Numbness
Anger
Guilt
Aggression
Irritability/conflict
Isolation/withdrawal
Sleep/appetite disturbance
Academic problems/decline
Seemingly inappropriate behaviors (giggling, laughing, joking b/c of nervousness)
Seemingly excessive displays of emotions, etc.
Student response to a tragedy varies according to:
When and how they learned of the death
Their relationship to the student
The status of that relationship (had they quarreled, etc.)
Previous unresolved death experiences
Other life stressors (and how they handle them)
Individual’s personality and temperament
Support systems in place
Activities that heal: talking, memorials, journaling, letters/cards to the family, contact with friends, contact with a faith
community, routine, time with family, physical exercise.
RESPONSE TO GRIEF (FOLLOW-UP)
Although not everyone goes through these stages in a visible or defined way or goes through them in any particular
sequence, common reactions to loss include:
Shock and denial
Anger (at people, life, circumstances, the deceased, or God)
Guilt (especially if there had been a quarrel)
Depression
Loneliness
Acceptance/hope
Signs that a student may need help include these changes in behavior:
Withdrawal/isolation
Irritability/ aggressive or angry outbursts
Inappropriate giggling/laughter
Dramatic attention-getting behavior
Extreme apathy or numbness
Loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities
Hyper-sensitivity
Depression beyond expected sadness
Signs of drug or alcohol use
Talk about suicide
Increased absenteeism
Significant drop in academics, short attention span
Excessive tiredness
Suggestions on what to do:
Listen to student.
Be patient.
Refer to school counselor/psychologist for assessment.
Talk with parents and share the behaviors you have observed.
Helpful resources:
THE PHONE (free, 24 hour crisis line): 924-3900
Grief Recovery Center (sliding scale): 924-6621
Children’s Behavioral Health (sliding scale): 922-0445
BR Crisis Intervention Center: 924-1431
I CARE Office: 226-2273