This digest presents ways that school administrators can realistically assess their schools' security needs. It opens by reporting that some types of school violence are declining, such as self-reported weapon carrying and fighting on school property, which reflects an overall decline in youth violence. However, schools still must perform…

A midtown New York City cooperative project which is providing a wide range of on-site and referral services to families in crisis is depicted. The program, located in the emergency relocation hotel provides a day care center, psychiatric and social services, a pediatric clinic, recreational programs, and parent discussion groups. (CS)

Discission of threat of disaster to library archival materials focuses on prevention (building maintenance, materials storage, fire prevention), preparedness (preplanning, procedures for handling emergencies, finances of recovery operation), and action (instructions for handling damaged materials). Current library activities in disaster planning…

Guidelines for first aid procedures for temporary relief of dental emergencies include information on: (1) dental first aid supplies; (2) treatment of oral injuries; (3) orthodontic emergencies; (4) toothaches; and (5) prolonged bleeding due to an extraction. Consulting a dentist as soon as possible is strongly recommended. (JN)

The main emphasis of Southern Illinois University's Student Emergency Dental Service is to treat patients with dental-related disorders of an emergency nature. Its other purpose is to help raise the level of dental knowledge among the student population so as to prevent the emergency situations from occurring. (Authors/CJ)

Provides a preliminary assessment of the impact of the September 11 attacks on public and private information infrastructures. Topics include the role of information technology in future homeland security initiatives; continuity and recovery plans; decentralization of operations; and the development of system redundancies to eliminate single…

Crisis management teams in a rural New York State school district include 6 to 10 members. Each group must go through three days of intensive training that prepares them to deal with the media, legal issues, students, parents, and peers, while maintaining as much academic normalcy as possible in crisis situations. Lists crisis team…

Outlines 21 actions, both immediate and over the long term, that administrators can take to protect students and schools from terrorist activities. Includes establishing a chain of command, a command post, a crisis response team, a communications staff, and inservice training. (four references) (MLF)

A Montana school district has developed crisis-management procedures, compiled them in a color-coded manual, and trained staff members how to manage possible emergency situations. Includes how to respond to bomb threats. (MLF)

To handle a death in the school community wisely and sensitively, school boards need to develop a death response policy. A policy developed by a diverse committee will be sensitive to the needs of the entire school community. Offers seven points to consider in drafting a policy. (MLF)

To protect schools against violent intruders, principals are advised to reexamine plant security, control and monitor school access, upgrade supervision quality during outside activities, develop neighbors' security awareness, keep accurate records of unusual occurrences, work with local law enforcement, investigate private security services, seek…

Analyzes school boards' response, in terms of crisis decision making, to a situation in which a superintendent was charged and later convicted of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old female student. Cites "Crucial Decisions," by Irving Janis, and offers recommendations to help board members be more effective decision makers. Presents an outline of…

Describes an approach for use in a school setting in the aftermath of a suicide. Piloted procedures are based on research, informed practice, and the author's consultation experiences with private and public school systems. Discusses setting up a program, notes useful references and provides a "Postvention Procedure Checklist." (EMK)

In May 1998, a student opened fire in the cafeteria, killing or wounding 24 students at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon. Lessons learned from the incident are detailed to assist other schools in planning for unexpected tragedies. Steps recommended actions before, during, and after a crisis. (CDS)

Describes a model for emergency counseling services to be developed in coordination with an overall disaster plan on a university or college campus. Procedures for simulation and training, results of field testing, and a three-phase implementation and follow-up model are presented. (EMK)