Crisis Prevention a Priority at Twin Valley Schools
March 08, 2010
Crisis Prevention is Priority at Twin Valley Schools
This past year, the administration of USD 240 – Twin Valley Schools has taken formal steps to increase crisis prevention/preparation in our schools. The first step was to become a member of the Kansas Center for Safe and Prepared Schools (KC-SPS).
KC-SPS is affiliated and funded through our nation’s Homeland Security Department. Kansas Adjutant General Tod Bunting, Ft. Riley, oversees this effort for the State of Kansas.
As member of KC-SPS, representatives from our schools have met on two occasions at conferences and workshops to learn and develop specific Crisis Prevention Plans and procedures in the event of large school or community crisis. School personnel is reviewing and rewriting our crisis management plan. In order to accomplish this with relevance, our staff has recently completed a survey on safety in our schools.
Results indicated that 95% of our staff feel that our school buildings provide security not only during the school day but also outside of the school day when staff might be in the building. Ninety-five percent also stated that their Crisis Information Chart is displayed in their rooms. Most of the staff feel that it is important to keep entrance/exit doors locked during the school day and allow visitors to enter only at designed doors.
Another step that the administration is initiating is to have “crisis kits” placed in all classrooms with larger/more complex equipment kept in a “building” kit. The school also practices various emergency drills on a regular basis, so that staff and students are aware of procedures in the event of a crisis. Representatives from Twin Valley Schools also plan to meet with Ottawa County Emergency Management staff at upcoming County Mitigation and Planning meetings.
If you have comments or questions about safety in our schools, please contact Superintendent Richard Harlan or School Social Worker, Rosemary Neaderhiser.
