THE HUB OF A COMMUNITY:SCHOOL DISTRICT ROLES IN COMMUNITY TRAGEDIES

PRESENTERS

Georgia Durán Devra Ashby Danielle Clark

GOALS

Share our stories Lessons learned Interactive learning

activity Resources

OVERVIEW

Trauma Waldo Canyon fire High Park fire Theater shooting Call for communication Support to communities Lessons learned

OUTCOMES Learn how critical schools and

districts are when community tragedies occur

Learn how responses to community tragedies differ from school tragedies

Learn mistakes to avoid when supporting the community, students and staff

Learn how to partner with community leaders in times of crisis

Receive a sample disaster recovery plan and resources

TRAUMA

“We know that symptoms

of trauma can emerge

over time for students and

staff members.”

- Dr. David SchonfeldNational Center for School Crisis

and Bereavement

LINGERING IMPACT

Adjustment problems nearly universal

Data from 9/11 survey of New York City Public Schools students: 87% reported PTSD symptom 6 months later 76% often thinking about attack 45% trying to avoid thinking or talking about it 25% harder to keep mind on things 24% problems sleeping 17% nightmares 18% stopped going to places or doing things that

reminded them of 9/11

COLORADO SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT 11

28,789 students (PK-12) 4,000 employees 60 Schools

Student Demographics:– Free/Reduced Lunch: 54.2 %– Special Ed: 8.5 %– ELL: 10.2 %

Our students are:– American Indian: .9%– Asian: 2.0%– Black: 7.2%– Hispanic: 29.3%– White: 52.8%– Hawaiian Or Pacific– Islander: .3%– Two or More Races: 7.3%

WALDO CANYON FIRE

WALDO CANYON FIRE

Initial Impacts– June 23-27, 2012

Secondary Impacts– June 28-July 6, 2012

Back to School Impacts

WALDO CANYON FIRE Lessons Learned:

– Using consistent messaging and not jumping to conclusions

– Keep updated contact information for students and staff

– Communicate using a variety of methods (social media is HUGE)

– The Superintendent needs to be very visible—this means so much to so many

– Know your community, build the important relationships ahead of time

– Train in a local JIC – It’s okay to say “no”– Keep calm and communicate– Capitalize on the relationships and

bonds created through crisis

POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT 27,510 students (PK-12) 3,500 employees 50 Schools

Student Demographics:– Free/Reduced Lunch: 31.6 %– Special Ed: 7.88 %– ELL: 9.76 %

Our students are:

– American Indian: .52%– Asian: 3.07%– Black: 1.32%– Hispanic: 17.67%– White: 74.06%– Hawaiian Or Pacific– Islander: .13%– Two or More Races: 3.22%

HIGH PARK FIRE

HIGH PARK FIRE Immediate Impacts

– First 48 hours Secondary Impacts

– 3 days – 3 weeks Back to School Impacts

– Two months out

HIGH PARK FIRE Lessons Learned:

– Central point of contact for families

– Systemic ways of tracking– Communicate early and often to

everyone– Hold weekly debriefing meetings– Financial restrictions– Have someone from the SCHOOL

call the families– Recognize that people trust

schools, but don’t always trust government

– The power of a hug– Don’t forget about staff– Impacts are long term

AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

40,000 students (PK-12) 5,000 employees 59 schools

Student Demographics:– Free/Reduced Lunch: 69%– Special Ed: 10%– ELL: 37%

Our students are: – Native American: 0.7% – Asian: 4.6% – Black: 17.9% – Hispanic: 54.7% – White: 17.8% – Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander:

0.5% – Two or More Races: 3.9%

7/20

7/20

7/20 Phase 1

Immediate Response– July 20-July 23

Phase 2Preparation for School Start– July 23-Aug. 6

Phase 3School Start– Aug. 6-Nov. 2

Phase 4Ongoing Support– Nov. 2-Ongoing

Phase 5Commemoration

7/20 Lessons learned

– Listen– Continual updates– Cultivate partnerships– Acknowledge the

intensity– Ask the experts– Talk about the tragedy– Guard against burnout– Shift priorities– Debrief regularly

SAMPLE CHECK LIST

ACTIVITY

Participants will assess how they would respond to a community crisis

Participants will share their suggestions to add to the checklist/process

QUESTIONS