A0: I'm Lesley from Alabama...and I've scheduled my chat tonight because it's board meeting night here! I guess I will say tornadoes living in a tornado-prone area. #k12prchat
Catherine Carbone Rogers, Chief Comms Officer @HighlineSchools. I don't remember being afraid b/c I never thought a natural disaster would ever happen to me. #k12PRchat
A0: I'm a social media specialist with a HS district in Illinois and growing up in Michigan and the thought of a tornado scared me the most! #K12PRChat
A0: Carla from @Peelschools. May not be avail. throughout the whole chat. No natural disasters here, but I had a run in with an industrial gelato maker. Best not to ask questions. #k12prchat
A0: Tom from Howell, MI. Wasn’t really scared of a natural disaster growing up, but I️ did have an unexplainable and random fear of the street sweeper. #k12PRchat
A1: Transparent communication during crisis is a show of leadership. It is an opportunity to gain trust--don't blow it! Trust earned during your crisis can be leveraged once the crisis is over. #k12prchat
A0: Kim Hocott from Pearland, TX. Growing up in the Houston area, tornados that came during hurricanes scares me. One natural disaster at a time, please. #k12prchat
A1 Fear is a call to action, right? So those who often don't get involved do. Great if you need volunteers, but clear, loud leadership is vital #k12prchat
A1: Hopefully, fear prompts staff & parents to prepare for disaster: update contact info, walk kids thru what to do, & teach them strategies for staying calm. #k12PRchat
A1: compassion and empathy are two important traits of a leader - anticipate their fears and needs and be the calm voice in the chaos then let your training and expertise kick in as you lead and communicate #K12PRchat
Q1 We drill and mix up our drills to plan for unexpected. I’m on the team so we also communicate that drills are in the works - without giving the date. #k12PRchat
A1 Fear is a call to action, right? So those who often don't get involved do. Great if you need volunteers, but clear, loud leadership is vital #k12prchat
A1: Hopefully, fear prompts staff & parents to prepare for disaster: update contact info, walk kids thru what to do, & teach them strategies for staying calm. #k12PRchat
A1: You may need to be the one voice of calm reason in a crisis. Make sure you’re not the one flailing your arms and yelling “the sky is falling, the sky is falling” ...even if you feel like it! #k12prchat
Also, we should acknowledge fear, it's normal and shows we understand. Have to meet them where they are as a leader before we can guide them to where they need to be. #k12prchat
A1: The answer is in the question. Use "prompt action" to help allay fears thru communication and reassure the community you're working alongside emergency responders. #k12prchat
A1: compassion and empathy are two important traits of a leader - anticipate their fears and needs and be the calm voice in the chaos then let your training and expertise kick in as you lead and communicate #K12PRchat
A1: We must communicate from a place of understanding and compassion. As long as we do that, our communities will listen to our leadership and wisdom. #K12prchat
A2: I ❤️ RPIE! It should provide a flexible framework that you can adapt in times of crisis. Understand what key messages you need to communicate to your publics. Don't get wrapped up in the tool. You may not have the ability to use your favorite! #k12prchat
(I scheduled this for CST. LOL)
A0: Justin Elbert here. I’ll be doing my best to respond to and interact with everyone tonight.
I was very afraid of trees falling on my house as a kid. So, naturally, any wind-related disaster kept me up at night. #k12PRchat
A2: We have to research the disaster that our area is prone to and plan for those inevitable disasters.
We hope that we never have to implement those plans, but we must be prepared just in case.
The key is evaluating and improving those plans afterwards. #k12prchat
Yes, it is ok to be vulnerable and say the truth even if it isn't what we wish we could say because circumstances have made it so nothing is good. #k12prchat
A2 We drill & run table tops. We watch what others do in crisis (my wise #schoolpr colleagues like you) and keep a copy of good communication examples on file. We debrief and change up the plan when needed. #k12PRchat
A2 Our plan is reviewed annually. Toughest review comes post-crisis/disaster, of course. We have a disaster plan + crisis comm plan - impt nuance #k12prchat
A2 P: Work w local/regional agencies & school/dist leaders to coordinate responses well before disaster strikes. Regular mtgs & drills/practice are key! #k12PRchat
A2: Research what may happen and resources available, plan communications frameworks, be ready to act if it happens and debrief when it’s over. #k12prchat
The push and pull is hard -- hurry up and wait. I'd argue we need authority to get urgent messages through. As @Jimlukaszewski would say - communicate now, lawyer later. #k12PRchat
A2 We drill & run table tops. We watch what others do in crisis (my wise #schoolpr colleagues like you) and keep a copy of good communication examples on file. We debrief and change up the plan when needed. #k12PRchat
A2 I tend to use the RACE model, but research research research is key so everything is as turnkey as possible when disaster strikes, leaving you ample time to adjust and audible when nothing goes as planned! #k12prchat
A3: I wish it were that easy. But as the adults, we have to be the calm in the middle of the storm for our students and their families. They will look to use for support and we need to be able to give it during and after the crisis. #k12prchat
A2: All parts of RPIE are necessary. For disasters, it’s all about flexibility and adapting your plan during implementation as all storms are different. We always debrief and evaluate what we did to learn how to improve the next time. #k12prchat
A3: There's a 50/50 chance for disaster to strike while our kids are at school. We must train our campus staff to protect the kids first.
We also need to train the kids so that they will be better prepared to handle a disaster. #k12PRchat
This played a very important role in my district’s development of our 5-Point district safety initiative that we developed after an armed gunman-hostage situation! #k12prchat
A2: RPIE increases your ability to successfully respond in a crisis, but no amount of RPIE means you’ve got it made. A real crisis involves many unexpected surprises. Adapt and eval later. #k12prchat
A2: Our county has a standing committee of school folks and first responders who plan the response for disasters. Also helps to build relationships among those who will be coming to help. #k12prchat
If the kids are scared of the drills, imagine if it was real life. That's almost a reason to do it more. Drills until execution are assured when the panic is there too. #k12prchat
As a district safety team member, RPIE plays a huge role in our efforts. We have to be purposeful in how we go about disaster planning. The safety of our students and employees is too important not to take it seriously! #K12PRChat
A3 Share the visuals with parents, make sure LEOs know too. Posters are everywhere and reinforce - normal, we're prepared, just like we practice #k12prchat
A3 Preparation and anticipation are key, but I also believe having a good community relationship (and communication) make for many eyes to help keep watch and many hands on deck when needed. #k12PRchat
Be sure you have printed versions of those Google Docs in your car, desk and emergency kit. When tornado hits, there are no computers or cell phones for days. #k12prchat
Exactly. the response to an emergency should be automatic.
You know what I want to do when there is an emergency, crawl under my desk. Did that twice a year for 13 straight years, still don't even have to think about it. #k12prchat
A3: Run drills, have first responders at drills to help evaluate and get kids comfortable with police/fire. Posters of safety plans in each classroom. #k12prchat
Be sure you have printed versions of those Google Docs in your car, desk and emergency kit. When tornado hits, there are no computers or cell phones for days. #k12prchat
Be sure you have printed versions of those Google Docs in your car, desk and emergency kit. When tornado hits, there are no computers or cell phones for days. #k12prchat
A4. Before your "storm" hits, communicate HOW you will communicate in the event of crisis. Put it in your handbook. Be visible in the lead up to your event, if you have the ability. This repetition is helpful to know where to go in the event of crisis. #k12prchat
A3: Drills...practice as though it is really happening. Talk to our kids about disasters when they aren’t happening. Explain the importance of remaining calm and following the drills they’ve learned. Our kids’ physical and emotional safety are always key. #k12prchat
Be sure you have printed versions of those Google Docs in your car, desk and emergency kit. When tornado hits, there are no computers or cell phones for days. #k12prchat
A4: Disaster training should be part of every communication training we offer.
Remember: The best time to start training was yesterday. The next best time is tomorrow.
We don't have the option of being caught unprepared. #k12prchat
A4: I️ agree with @lesleybruinton. If folks know you are prepared, they will trust you in a crisis and know student and staff safety is most important.#k12prchat
We put snow day / cold weather practices right next to tornado & power outage. Then we know they'll see them at least a few times a year! ;) #k12PRchat
A4: We have explicit protocols for our team, on paper and online. But we need to practice more! It's tough to make the time for drills and tabletops, but I'm determined to make it happen. #k12prchat
A4: I have confidence in my Communications team. We’ve actually done our own tabletop drills as if a crisis had occurred and they’ve taken the reins. #k12prchat
A5: Our educators would know to protect the kids first. Kids are the only reason we exist as a system.
As #schoolPR pros, we would need to immediately start working to open the lines of communication back up. Internet or no internet, we can still do our jobs. #k12prchat
A5 Grab portable chargers & use SMS text to loop in decision makers. Use @BlackboardK12 app to send msgs to staff, families, community. No cell service? Eek. #k12PRchat
Love this. I've heard old fashioned phones are most stable tech in 2017. (Well, ham radios, I guess.) But thinking about how we can leverage voicemail boxes for updates. #k12PRchat
Also be ready to be a one man band in your location. We made sure that all of us had laptops and wireless capabilities wherever we were in the district. Groupme was valuable. #k12prchat
Shout out to all my South Texas colleagues for putting students and their families above self in communicating and responding during #HurricaneHarvey - you are all heroes! #k12prchat@JustinElbertPR@KimHocott
A5. Also: make sure you keep all social media posts on message during the crisis. No bake sale promotions. No survey announcements. Nada. Stay. On. Message.
I would also encourage you to be responsive to people who need information.
This is how you build trust. #k12prchat
A5 We have emergency radios at every school, connected to local LEOs. Get building status that way first, then dispatch help where needed most, then re-assess #k12prchat
I thought it was the rare occasion that all was calm...but then found that twin on the stairs with a crayon and a colorful wall. 😒 #K12PRChat#behindthescenes#k12prchatwidow
A6. You will notice an uptick in your followers. Post-event, use the opportunity to wrap up your event comms and let folks know the plan for continued support. You may have one more opportunity post-event: use the shot to brag on your folks to build future engagement. #k12prchat
Can’t find it on the spot, but photo of 7 handmade crosses on the grounds of Plaza Towers Elem in Moore wirh the ravages school in background is hard to take. @JulieThannum was there, too. 😢 Tough #k12prchat
We were also able to use our notification platform to survey staff and students to assess when we should return to school so that our kids could have a sense of normalcy. Many missed the structure of of school day. Everyone needs this. #k12prchat
Moore rocked everyone's world that week. (I know it lasted far longer at ground zero.) That's one I won't forget, even from a few hundred miles away. #k12PRchat
A6: In past disasters, we've switched gears at this point to help those willing to serve find those needing the most help. It's worked well for our community. #k12PRchat
Actually, we had it in place by the time the snow storm came. And thankfully we did! It was critical to us being able to communicate with parents who were stuck on the highways in their cars and relying on cellphone calls to calm their nerves that their kids were safe! #k12prchat
When there’s a sub, make sure “neighbors” know & have met F2F. Make sure paper copies of what is needed kept up to date in sub folders. Turnover high, but 1 training/year > none. Worth investment.
A6: people are generous, compassionate and resilient in a crisis. Take time to honor and celebrate them through social storytelling and photos after the crisis has passed. So many heroes! #k12prchat
A6: Time to tell the stories of people helping people post disaster. Our engagement on these types of posts after #Harvey was so high. People need good news and things to feel good about and happy after a disaster strikes. #K12prchat
A7. Showcase the stories of your folk's renewed since of spirit. People in schools always want to "do good." There will be plenty of opportunities for you to share with others what your school/district is all about. #k12prchat
A5 My crisis director just reminded me: be prepared for a controlled release of students! We’ve had on-site and off-site reunification drills #k12PRchat
Seeing the posts of love, sunshine, compassion, assistance, & leadership from #SchoolPR friends made us feel good & smile/cry right along with you! ❤️ #k12PRchat
A6: Time to tell the stories of people helping people post disaster. Our engagement on these types of posts after #Harvey was so high. People need good news and things to feel good about and happy after a disaster strikes. #K12prchat
A7: Recovery is as important as response; watch and listen for signs of post traumatic stress in your students/staff and provide parents with resources and access to expert help; a lot of love and time help! #k12PRchat
A7: We should provide hope. We need to show that helpers. Show what amazing things our communities can do in spite of the tragedy; not because of it. #k12PRchat
A7: Post #Harvey we’ve provided a list of available resources on our district website. We gathered info from the city, county and state rep’s office. We’ve sent notification emails to employees and parents when we get new info - like FEMA setting up an office in town. #K12prchat
