SAFETY AND WELFARE OF STUDENTS AND STAFF 1

Clinical Field Experience D: Protecting the Safety & Welfare of Students and Staff

Laurie Salem

Grand Canyon University

EAD 536: Protecting the Safety & Welfare of Students and Staff

Dr. Hudson

September 20, 2023

SAFETY AND WELFARE OF STUDENTS AND STAFF 2

Emergency Plan

Prior to meeting with my principal, I was able to review the comprehensive safety plan

that specified everything from assignments, duties and locations for every staff member in the

school. This plan explained all drills and other emergencies. Every plan must provide a variety of

drills for staff and students to practice on a monthly basis. A major responsibility of

administrators is to meet with the local evacuation sites in the area to ensure they are prepared to

receive students and staff if ever an evacuation is necessary. This particular evacuation is not

necessary to practice with students, but something that is vital to the safety of staff and students.

Every drill requires that all staff members have a role and duty to perform. The secretary

will be the point of contact to keep all communication centralized and updated. Their role is to

also communicate with entities outside of the schools such as the district office and police and/

or medical personnel. Teachers and other staff are to gather and monitor students in designated

area while contacting parents to keep them updated and for immediate pick up. Maintenance

workers ensure that the exits are clear and the doors are operational and those staff members who

are in support positions can check bathrooms, classrooms and other areas for any students who

may have been separated from their class. Every emergency situation has a plan of action,

contacts, and procedures to ensure that all staff, students, families and all community

stakeholders.

Principal Interview

The interview included a discussion about how vital it is for everyone to know what their

roles are during certain emergencies. Staff members will be notified of the specifics that pertain

to them but more general information about the roles of other staff.
SAFETY AND WELFARE OF STUDENTS AND STAFF 3

There was a moment in the interview where both the principal and AP were more

reflective, stating that they would like a communication system that did not require

announcements to be made overhead, but still allows for immediate notification that something is

happening in or near the school. This is currently in the works but they are hopeful to be able to

find a better means of communicating schoolwide discreetly. Staff will be trained by reading the

protocols and then practicing them. During these drills, they will be able to provide feedback on

exit routes, times, obstacles, and issues with the infrastructure. Next steps would have teachers

practice drills with their students to make sure that everyone knows what they should do during

the drills and/ or real emergencies.

They are required by law to conduct frequent drills on different days at different times to

assess the readiness of the school. The results of these drills must be reported to the district.

During fire drills, the fire department has to be on site to record how long it takes the entire

school to get out of the building. Once the schedule for these drills are sent to the district, it is

challenging to adjust it. There are some instances where adhering to the schedule is impossible

for whatever reason and the drill must be shifted to another day. If this is the case, the protocol is

to contact the district office and adjust the drill schedule. We must also make plans to redo the

drill as soon as possible, also sending that information to the district office. The principal and AP

both shared that they want to remain as open and honest with students, parents and the

community so any emergency situations are communicated to them when appropriate and

necessary.

The communication with families and the community can be robocalls, flyers that are

sent home, and/ or in person meetings.

SAFETY AND WELFARE OF STUDENTS AND STAFF 4

Implications of Future Practice

As an up and coming leader, my responsibility is to create and maintain an environment

that is healthy, caring and safe for staff, students and teachers (NPBEA, 2015). One way to do

this is to explicitly teach everyone, including students, what their roles are during these drills and

emergency situations. The purpose of drills is to see if there are any areas that need to be

improved. I would make sure the staff understands that I am open to feedback and that their

honest opinions would be considered if it means safer procedures for students and teachers.

Another aspect that I would include in my own personal practice is to open and maintain

communication with all stakeholders affected (NPBEA, 2015). The safety of students and staff

falls at my feet and my diligence and attention to this fact will help me to establish trust with all

parties, with them knowing how serious I take their health and safety. It is necessary for the

school to run as smoothly as possible especially during an emergency situation (NPBEA, 2015).
SAFETY AND WELFARE OF STUDENTS AND STAFF 5

References

National Policy Board for Educational Administration (2015). Professional Standards for

Educational Leaders 2015. Reston, VA: Author.