As a leader on your campus, it is important to understand the safety procedures you are responsible for implementing with your students and staff.
Obtain and review your school’s emergency plan, drill schedule, any additional action steps to address adverse situations in the school setting, district policies relating to student and staff safety, and any other existing emergency plans.
If possible, participate in an emergency drill, acting from the principal’s role. Interview your principal mentor or another campus leader about maintaining safety on the school campus.
Suggested questions include, but are not limited to:
- What do you consider are the most important tasks related to keeping students and staff safe on the school campus?
- Do you feel your school campus is safe for students and staff? What is working? What would you like to add to your campus to ensure their well-being?
- How do you train teachers and staff for emergencies? What is required by law? Do you do anything beyond what is legally required?
- Are you always able to follow your planned emergency drill schedule? If not, how do you document that?
- How do you decide what safety or emergency information you will communicate to families? The community?
- When communicating safety or emergency information to families and/or the community, what methods do you use?
Use any remaining field experience hours to assist the principal mentor and, provided permission, seek opportunities to observe and/or assist the principal mentor.
Write a 250-500 word reflection on your experiences. Incorporate PSEL Standards 5 and 8 into your reflection and describe how you will apply what you have learned to your future professional practice.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.