Last week, I had an opportunity to sit in a two-day training session for school administrators. The FEMA-developed course, MGT 417 – Crisis Management for School Based Incidents for Key Decision Makers, was very well attended by several local high school principals, local county SROs, our GEMA school representative, and the local Floyd Emergency Management Office.
The real-life scenario-based discussions were often alarming. School-related statistics pertaining to emergencies and crisis situations were delivered in unfiltered and often graphic manner. Everyone had similar goals in mind: How do we keep our children, staff, facilities, and brand safe? What can we do to ensure we are better prepared in the event of an emergency?
These two questions are valid in our everyday work. Very sobering conversation actually in this crazy world we live in. However, one point was hammered home over and over again through the 16 hours of conversations. See something. Say something.
If you have been at Darlington for sometime, you have hopefully read my sign off in safety related emails, Stay Aware! This see something/say something mindset relates to all aspects of our work and daily lives away from school and falls neatly in line with awareness.
We all become comfortable in our daily routines. When I think of see something/say something, I am immediately reminded of what Bert Thornton told the students in assembly, “Easy to do, easy to not do.”
No one knows your area of work better than you. Are items out of place for an odd reason? Is there a window or door unlocked?
You see the students daily in advisee and the classroom. Does the student seem distant and quiet? Has his or her appearance changed?
As a coach, you should be able to sense when a star player is not performing to his/her potential. Why is that? Has his or her attitude changed?
You walk by visitors daily during your cross campus trips. Do you politely welcome and redirect the strangers without visitor badges? Do you inquire with security?
These are merely a few examples of our need to stay aware and question. This keen sense of awareness is the key to keeping our campus safe and promoting student success.
See something. Say something. Oh, and by all means do something. Doing noting is not an option.
