School safety plans
There are many things a school counselor can do to ensure that students not only feel safe within their school, but are in fact safe. For starters, school counselors can work to alter the school climate. Students learn best when they experience a positive school climate that makes them feel safe and secure (Hernández and Seem, 2004). The problems of a negative school climate require systemic intervention. Fortunately, school counselors possess both great knowledge and practice in the realm of thinking and working systemically, making them perfectly position to tackle this feat. Additionally, school counselors are trained to evaluate school data, allowing them to pinpoint areas that may contribute to school climate problems and to track these areas as interventions are implemented determine effectiveness. School counselors are also equipped with skills in advocacy and are eager to be catalysts for change (Hernández and Seem, 2004).
The practice of drills for common natural disasters like tornadoes and fires, as well as more region-bound disasters such as earthquakes and flooding, are common throughout all schools. Not only this, but an increase in school violence has led to the practice of other types of safety drills, such as intruder drills. In the case of these examples and all other drills, it is important that each individual within the school has full knowledge of what their role is in the event that these emergencies occur, and that they are confident in these roles. It is vital that those within the school know who will fulfill roles beyond immediately removing students from danger, such as who will make contact with emergency responders and parents/guardians. School counselors can help prepare students and staff members by not only ensuring that they know what the safety plan is, but also by modeling and coaching faculty and staff on ways in which to behave during emergencies. In an emergency, it is important that all adults present actively strive to keep the situation from escalating further. The school counselor can facilitate this by training and encouraging staff to stay calm and level headed so that students will not become more stressed. Most importantly, the school counselor can model this type of attitude him or herself. It is crucial that those within the school know in advance what the safety plan is, as coming up with a plan on the spot creates more stress and decreases the likelihood that safest outcome will be achieved.
It is important to remember that the effects of an emergency or tragedy do not necessarily end after the immediate physical threat has passed. In many cases, such as serious natural disasters or suicides, students and even staff members are experience negative symptoms for some time after the incident. School counselors are uniquely equipped to address personal/social concerns in the aftermath of such situations. For instance, a school counselor may offer counseling services to the school or the community as a whole following the death of a student. Another example might be connecting students to community resources and ensuring their physical safety following a natural disaster such as a tornado that destroys the homes of a number of students.
The practice of drills for common natural disasters like tornadoes and fires, as well as more region-bound disasters such as earthquakes and flooding, are common throughout all schools. Not only this, but an increase in school violence has led to the practice of other types of safety drills, such as intruder drills. In the case of these examples and all other drills, it is important that each individual within the school has full knowledge of what their role is in the event that these emergencies occur, and that they are confident in these roles. It is vital that those within the school know who will fulfill roles beyond immediately removing students from danger, such as who will make contact with emergency responders and parents/guardians. School counselors can help prepare students and staff members by not only ensuring that they know what the safety plan is, but also by modeling and coaching faculty and staff on ways in which to behave during emergencies. In an emergency, it is important that all adults present actively strive to keep the situation from escalating further. The school counselor can facilitate this by training and encouraging staff to stay calm and level headed so that students will not become more stressed. Most importantly, the school counselor can model this type of attitude him or herself. It is crucial that those within the school know in advance what the safety plan is, as coming up with a plan on the spot creates more stress and decreases the likelihood that safest outcome will be achieved.
It is important to remember that the effects of an emergency or tragedy do not necessarily end after the immediate physical threat has passed. In many cases, such as serious natural disasters or suicides, students and even staff members are experience negative symptoms for some time after the incident. School counselors are uniquely equipped to address personal/social concerns in the aftermath of such situations. For instance, a school counselor may offer counseling services to the school or the community as a whole following the death of a student. Another example might be connecting students to community resources and ensuring their physical safety following a natural disaster such as a tornado that destroys the homes of a number of students.
Some examples of school safety plans for numerous situations can be found by clicking the button below
References
Hernández, T. J., & Seem, S. R. (2004). A safe school climate: A systemic approach and the school counselor. Professional School Counseling, 7(4), 256-262.
Safer Schools Ohio (2015). School safety plans. Retrieved from https://saferschools.ohio.gov/content/school_safety_plans
Hernández, T. J., & Seem, S. R. (2004). A safe school climate: A systemic approach and the school counselor. Professional School Counseling, 7(4), 256-262.
Safer Schools Ohio (2015). School safety plans. Retrieved from https://saferschools.ohio.gov/content/school_safety_plans