5029

Crisis Response Policy

1. The following objectives apply to dealing with a crisis situation:

   1. Ensuring the safety and emotional security of students.

      1. Formulating a plan of action immediately that provides uniformity in the treatment of each crisis.

      2. Identifying those students and staff who will likely be most strongly affected by grief.

      3. Preserving, to the extent possible, the daily school routine and pre-scheduled activities so as not to draw others into deeper levels of grief than they would normally experience.

      4. Monitoring students’ progress through the stages of the grief process.

      5. Making the school’s resources available to parents and guardians who become concerned about their child’s reaction to a crisis.

   1. Policy

      1. School Hours

         1. During a crisis situation, the administration will maintain established school hours and proceed with all co- curricular activities as scheduled whenever possible.

            1. If, during a crisis situation, the parent(s) or guardian of a student decide that the student needs to be absent, this absence will be excused.

         1. Access to School Facilities

1. The school’s facilities may not be used for funeral or memorial services before 2:00 P.M. on scheduled school days. The administration reserves the right to waive the policy if Staffing creates a situation that requires the cancellation of school.

2. This policy does not discourage the presentation of traditional American Legion memorial services which promote patriotism.

C. Memorials

1. Memorials often create a visual reminder of a particular crisis that may reintroduce feelings of grief for students. Therefore, memorials may not be displayed anywhere on the school premises.

This policy is not intended to discourage the acceptance of memorial funds or specific items.

Adopted on: Revised on: Reviewed on:

1/1/2007 9/20/10 9/20/10

Attachment to 5029

Funerals in the Gym

Ogallala Public Schools Procedures for Funerals and Memorials

The issue of holding funerals in a school is a difficult one. It is permissible and there will be a time when it is determined to be necessary. The Ogallala Public Schools operating procedure regarding funerals must remain flexible to handle individual circumstances.

While the Auditorium is available for hosting funerals in special situations, the district discourages this unless it is absolutely necessary for the reasons listed below.

The only substantial reason to hold a funeral in the gym is space as families are often concerned that there will not be enough room for people to sit. Alternatives may include the New Hope Church.

Reasons to avoid having a funeral in the school if possible include but are not limited to:

Lack of Spirituality - A funeral is typically a religious ceremony that allows the celebration and reflection. A funeral in the gym has the feeling of a sporting event or graduation.

Lack of Intimacy -The gym seats 1,300-1,400 people + 300 on the floor. It would be half full with 800 people.

Lack of Normalcy - A funeral in a school interrupts the normalcy of student life. A majority of students are not typically impacted by the death. They ARE impacted if the funeral is at the school.

Peer Pressure - Students feel pressure to attend a funeral at the school even if they are not close to the situation. Students should not be expected to mourn, participate in funeral services, or miss school.

At Risk Students - These students may see the attention given to the deceased person at the funeral and think that is a good thing. Suicides or attempted suicides could result from this thinking.

Maintaining an Appropriate School Environment - Students directly affected by a schoolmate’s death have a number of daily reminders to negotiate in a school. An empty desk, a locker, athletic uniforms, personal projects, etc. The school district should avoid creating another reminder.

Time of Day - The school will not typically dismiss school for a funeral as this also increases pressure on students to attend the service. Therefore, in most cases, the gym would not be available until 2:00 p.m. or on the weekend.

The same reasons apply to the dismissal of school for a funeral. In addition: The audience that has the most need of assistance is allowed to leave.

How do you determine if school dismissal is necessary?

Which students do you dismiss? High School, Junior High, Elementary or ALL

Memorials

Districts vary in their policy concerning memorials. While some are very strict in their guidelines, others tend to be more flexible. The Ogallala Schools have taken a more moderate stance.

“In the event of a death in the school family, (student, staff, or board member) the Superintendent will make every effort to maintain normalcy in the school routine. In most cases, this means that school will be in session on the day of the death and the day of the funeral if those events fall on a regularly scheduled school day. The Superintendent reserves the right to alter the school schedule in response to unusual circumstances. The research available at this time supports keeping routine for children as normal as possible during the grieving period.

The board of education’s decision on memorials will be based on recommendations from the Crisis team. Guidelines include discouraging memorials that alter the school property, interfere with the regular school day routine, require the use of public funds to maintain, or suggest the retirement or discontinuation of school property. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit the length of time a memorial is in place to 5 years, or to the year of the deceased student’s graduation, whichever is the longest period of time.”

District Recommendation

All memorials should serve a purpose in addition to recognizing the deceased. Donation to Foundation designated for a specific item.

Donation to Foundation designated for a scholarship.

Furnishings for district - bench, chairs, table, flags etc.

Donation to Library for books

The question always arises concerning the donation of living things such as trees. The problem with trees is that they die, take extra care etc. A recommendation would be to Donate to the Foundation designating landscaping as the project. This allows the memorial to go toward the entire landscaping instead of single vulnerable item.

The final question concerning memorials is in the manner of retiring them. How long should the memorials and/or pictures remain in the building?