Staff Checklists

Principal's Checklist

• Met with Crisis Management Team.
• Designated the Crisis Management Team Leader.
• Arranged for substitute to assist student's classroom teacher.
• Instructed a staff member to remove locker contents from deceased student's locker.
• Designated a counseling support center in building.
• Met with building staff.
• Directed staff member to review student's cumulative folder and notify other school principals as needed.
• Informed students regarding the death.
• Wrote letter to parents of all students regarding the death.
• Designated a staff member to collect funeral arrangement information.
• Informed students/staff regarding funeral arrangements.
• Directed a staff member to remove student's name from all mailing lists, including the district's central office.
• Called and/or visited parents.
• Held mid-day meeting with Crisis Management Team Leader to assess response activities.
• Contacted clergy who will be conducting funeral services.
• Held after-school meeting.
• Met with Crisis Management Team at end of day to review day's activities, review list of "high-risk" students, and plan for next day's activities.

Crisis Management Team Leaders Checklist

• Listed the teachers and staff who will need extra support because of their closeness, etc. to deceased.
• Assigned staff member to classroom where assistance by the teacher has been requested.
• Maintained a list of "high risk" students.
• Organized the building's counseling efforts including grief group(s).
• Assisted in identifying students who were absent and "high risk".
• Recommended to the principal students who (A) needed to go home or (B) needed additional community mental health resources.
• Reviewed with team all students on "high risk" list and assigned staff member as a case manager.
• Assisted in organizing staff's role in funeral arrangements including visitation.
• Met with Crisis Management Team at end of day to update and plan for next day's activities.

Teachers Checklist

• Attended the all-staff a.m. meeting.
• If needed, requested a substitute to assist so that I could have individual time to console students, visit with deceased student's parents, etc.
• Modeled the classroom discussion by sharing with students my feelings and reactions. (or)
• I felt I could not lead class discussion and informed the principal or Crisis Management Team
• Leader and requested a team member to lead the discussion.
• Allowed students to go to counseling support center (sent peer or aide to accompany them.)
• Kept list of student(s) I thought were "high risk" and gave names to Crisis Management Team Leader during and at the end of the day.
• Offered colleagues, who were in need of help, any assistance I could give them.
• Attended after-school staff meeting.
• If appropriate, attended the visitation and/or funeral.