As the majority of the United States braces for an bringing snow, sleet and ice, leaders are closing schools ahead of time. Here are some tips to ensure your communities are prepared.
It’s important that leaders develop a disaster response plan ahead of time, argues the NWEA, a K12 assessment and research organization, in its new . Such a plan should clearly define roles, actions and communications protocols before, during and after a disaster. Here are some key steps leaders should take, according to the research:
- Assess community risk.聽Evaluate the most likely climate hazards facing schools and surrounding areas.
- Develop a comprehensive . Highlight the actions school staff will take before, during and after an emergency.
- Establish communication systems.听Build a system for communication and coordination during a disaster, including how the district will coordinate internally and share information with families.
- Practice the plan.听As often as possible, run emergency exercises and drills to test the plan and make changes when necessary.
Superintendents should also refer to previous inclement weather events and schedule drills accordingly.
Second, administrators must establish relationships with community organizations that can help schools serve as resource hubs when disaster strikes. For example, many schools are used as community centers, underscoring the need for leaders to be prepared to address student needs beyond academics, including housing and mental health support.
Furthermore, leaders should work to restore schooling routines as quickly as possible following the weather-related event. Predictability and stability are critical in helping students recover from natural disasters, the researchers note. Reestablishing school norms and daily rituals helps to restore a sense of normalcy.
Finally, superintendents should address “first-order needs” ahead of academics. This includes students’ trauma, unmet needs and teacher well-being.
Read the full report .
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