TRAGEDY RESPONSE:

1
TRAGEDY RESPONSE

• Lessons Learned
• From School Violence

2
What We LearnedSchool Crisis

• Destroyed our sense of safety and security
• Resulted in a heightened sense of vulnerability
  and helplessness
• Disrupted our coping and problem-solving
  capabilities

3
Crisis Plan

• Prevent chaos from escalating into a catastrophic
  situation
• Have One
• Make Sure Roles are Clearly Defined
  Organizational Role/Rank is in Place
• Hold Dry Runs Rehearsals
• Know when you need more help

4
The District and the City

• District immediate response to school
• Release of students
• Crime Scene - immediate security of school,
  restricted access
• School District PIO and Fire PIO coordinated
  release of information at scene
• Crisis communication center at City Hall- City
  PIO/City Manger/District Admin/

5
Communications

• Identify School Officials -Not a Time for
  Egos
• One Phone Number live
• Dont Chase Rumors
• Move Communications Center AWAY from Crime Scene
• Jointly release information - District, City,
  County, Medical officials

6
Media

• No Media on Campus
• Set Clear and Strict Boundaries
• 57-minute emergency event
• 7-day media event
• Jointly released information - District, City,
  County, Medical officials
• Used the Media to Disseminate Important
  Information

7
Collaboration

• Counselors from other districts
• Community counselors and therapists
• Hospitals
• Churches
• National Organization for Victims Assistance
• Red Cross
• Massage therapists comfort dogs
• Businesses (donated food, teddy bears, books)

8
Re-entry to School

• Open House on Memorial Day
• No media were allowed
• Multiple "support" rooms
• Uniformed police on campus through remainder of
  school year

9
Students Return to Class

• Free breakfast and lunch
• Counselors in every class, multiple "support"
  rooms
• Mental Health counselors at THS through remainder
  of year
• Academic adjustments

10
Effects of Trauma on Learning

• Range of involuntary reactions
• Sense of fear and distrust of students may
  prevent students from re-engaging in school life
  and learning
• Different behavior developmental stages

11
Long-Term Follow Up1 - 3 Years

• Posttraumatic Stress training for staff
• National/Local Trauma Specialists
• Additional counselors at THS
• 2 during first year
• 1 additional until all students graduated
• Thurston Assistance Center
• Legal Support
• Memorial

12
Work hard to find that balance between mourning
the past, treasuring the present, and keeping
hope for the future. Marleen Wong Director of
District Crisis Teams for the Los Angeles
Unified School District.