Safety Calendar
Safety Calendar Monthly fire drills:
I observed on the school calendar the monthly fire drill with different times of the day to allow staff and teachers to understand that fires can happen at any time, thus, being prepared for the situation. Also, the drills were scheduled during instructional, recess/ break, lunch, afternoon, and after school. It is a protocol for all stakeholders to take every drill seriously, respectfully and know what to do when circumstances happen. Teachers are to take their role sheet and emergency color coded cards to indicate if all students are with them or missing. This is a non -verbal que to incase the situation gets chaotic. The goal is to be lined up in the field within 2 minutes. Thus, on my calendar, I planned the fire drills like the school because I felt the different times were needed to ensure each time frame students will be in different situation and knows how to respond appropriately.
Quarterly lockdown drills:
The lockdown drills on the school’s calendar are scheduled in each quarter to ensure that staff and students know the procedure of staying safe no matter where they are on school grounds. Part of our procedures are to lock/ unlock the gates before and after dismissal. However, we have not set a plan for a safe place if students are on the field at recess or PE time. This needs to be addressed for the next school year because we are located by gangs. So, practicing and being informed on how to safely hide and protect the students and staff is a high priority. However, on my calendar, I inserted two lockdowns per quarter because there are many situations that could happen to cause a lockdown. My thought is to prepare and be safe then not prepare enough and be regretful. Therefore, I would have lockdown scenarios for the school to practice and be familiarize with. For example, a gang banger on campus, what to do if students are on the field, if someone does not have their radio on, and what to do if students are transitioning from class to class? These things would need to be discussed and planned out by teachers, fire fighters, EMT and police, then approved by the safety committee. I think having the first responders brief and discuss the appropriate ways to respond will benefit the school. Also, allowing the staff’s input will help identify different situations, clarify, and talk through outcomes of what to/ not to do. The next step would be discussed with students and practice how and where to run for safety.
One full school evacuation:
On the calendar I inserted another day of full school evacuation because I don’t believe that practicing once teaches the students and teachers what to do in a full evacuation. Some staff members have not heard of the plan in detail to successfully evacuate all the students and the next step afterwards. This needs to be addressed for the next school year. I believe that all members of the school should know in detail how the evacuations should run, who would be in charge, where is the designated destinations and what to do. Therefore, we need several per year.
Training for teachers:
On the calendar there are dates that indicated training for teachers and staff, plus debrief of fire drills and lockdowns. However, the training for teachers and staff did not happen this year, and the debrief are principals telling the school our exited time, thus we need to plan better. Therefore, for next year I would start in the first month training staff in the protocol and procedure on how to respond to emergencies in a time, respectful calm voice. These situations need practice to be successful. Thus, it is up to the principal to make sure these preventions measures are carried out and everyone knows what to do in the situation. Thus, on my calendar I planned the teacher training two times a semester to review and ask questions.
Revisiting/Debriefing after each drill:
After the drill teachers and all staff members should be included in all the debriefs. This way we all know what to expect and relate to the students the importance of the drills. It is a reminder for everyone on campus to be always ready and vigilant. I think it should be a collaboration on how to make the drills more efficient, organized and well planned. I think when planning the safety calendar, staff should have an input into what they feel are necessary elements to ensure that in time of a crisis, all staff members understand the role they play is crucial and pertinent in keeping the school safe. Thus, having staff input and being able to voice their concerns will help to secure the school and keep it a safe place. Also, input could lead to understanding colleagues mental and emotional well- being. How some people respond and react in situations will help me as a principal put a team leader in charge and help orchestrate the situation. Therefore, creating a calendar and inserting the safety drills and training for the school, I enlisted my mentor to help identify the roles of the janitor, safety team and the principal’s job in maintaining a safe environment. The school’s mission and vision are always the focus of everything a leader does, this includes establishing and communicating the roles and responsibilities of others. Therefore, keeping the mission and vision in focus is having a safe environment that will help students focus on academic progress in obtaining their diploma to further their education in a safe space, foster their educations to advance into a trade school or college, thus becoming financially independent and life- long learners.
Moral and Legal Considerations
The moral and legal considerations is making the right choices in keeping the school safe and protected as best I can. This included adding additional training where I felt the school is deficient in. Identifying the weakness and plan for improvements to rectify the situation. Allowing others to participate in the decisions and be part in the discussions and debrief. I feel the more input there is the better the plan will be. Also, getting the first responders to help inform us on the best action plans and answering questions are important tools to helping the school stay safe. Therefore, the calendar is a starting point to keeping the school a safe place to learn and grow mentally and physically as a member of the school community.
Safety Calendar link: