About the series:

In honor of School Safety Month, Peachjar has launched a monthly content series focused specifically on crisis communication, hosted by Rick J. Kaufman, APR. Mr. Kaufman served as the Crisis Response Team lead for the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999, and continues to work with school districts across the country to manage and recover from school violence incidents, including Broward County Public Schools and San Bernardino City Unified Public Schools. Mr. Kaufman is the author of the Complete Crisis Communication Management Manual for Schools (2016, NSPRA).

We invite you to explore the following resources focused on issues around school safety preparedness, prevention, and response.

OCTOBER 2018: Leading Through Communication in Times of Crisis

The midst of a crisis is not the time to let students, staff, and families know what to do in an emergency. That needs to occur before it happens. Communicators that understand the pattern of how a school crisis unfolds are better suited to anticipate issues and respond appropriately.

Join us during School Safety Awareness month as we launch our content series on this critical topic.

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Resources related to the content covered in this webinar:

Crisis Communication Lifecycle (PDF)
Leading Through Communication in Times of Crisis (Blog)
Zift's 7 Important Steps to Help School Administrators Keep Children Safe Online (Blog)
Zift's Internet Safety Checklist for Families (Blog)
Q&A: Leading Through Communication in Times of Crisis (Blog)
Webinar Presentation Slides (PDF)

NOVEMBER 2018: When a Crisis Hits Is Not the Time to Plan

Crisis planning is like buying insurance. We may never need a crisis communication plan, but is it worth the risk in today’s climate? Smart communicators know they can’t get by without a crisis communications plan.

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Resources related to the content covered in this webinar:

When a Crisis Hits Is Not the Time to Plan (Blog)
Elements of a Crisis Communication Plan (PDF)
Rapid Response Documentation Log (PDF)
Response Statements (PDF)
Q&A: When a Crisis Hits Is Not the Time to Plan (Blog)
Webinar Presentation Slides (PDF)

DECEMBER 2018: How to Survive a Social Media Fire: The Good, Bad, & Ugly

Ready for the next Tweet storm, Facebook faux pas or sexting scandal? With the right preparation and strategy, managing a social media crisis is … well, manageable.

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Resources related to the content covered in this webinar:

How to Survive a Social Media Fire: The Good, Bad, & Ugly (Blog)
SM Response Guide (PDF)
USAF Social Media Response Guide (PDF)
Webinar Presentation Slides (PDF)
Q&A: How to Survive a Social Media Fire (Blog)
Webinar Recording (Video)

JANUARY 2019: Crisis Communication in the Age of Social Media

Social media has radically changed how people discover, consume and share information. It has also emerged as one of today’s most convenient news source. Whether or not you use traditional communication methods, social media isn’t an “instead of,” but an “in addition to …”

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Resources related to the content covered in this webinar:

Crisis Communication in the Age of Social Media (Blog)
Using Social Media in a Crisis (PDF)
How to Use Twitter During a Crisis (PDF)
Webinar Presentation Slides (PDF)
Q&A: Crisis Communication in the Age of Social Media (PDF)
Webinar Recording (Video)

FEBRUARY 2019: Crisis Communication Goal: Prevent Harm to Stakeholders

School leaders are thrust into action when incidents of school violence garner intense public scrutiny and media coverage. They must be prepared to offer parents assurances their child’s school is safe, and measures are in place to respond to similar events.

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Resources related to the content covered in this webinar:

Crisis Communication Goal: Prevent Harm to Stakeholders (Blog)
Webinar Presentation Slides (PDF)
Q&A: Crisis Communication Goal: Prevent Harm to Stakeholders (Blog)
Webinar Recording (Video)

MARCH 2019: Preparing for and Working with Media in a School Crisis

Circumstances and reactions may differ with each school crisis. There is one constant: the presence of the media. And, while we may think otherwise at times, the media is not your enemy. It’s important to work with, rather than against, the media.

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Resources related to the content covered in this webinar:

Preparing for and Working with Media in a School Crisis (Blog)
Communicating with Media in a Crisis (PDF)
Patterns of Media Response (PDF)
The Media Perspective (PDF)
Media Interviews of Students (PDF)
Interview Request Form (PDF)
Webinar Presentation Slides (PDF)
Q&A: Preparing for and Working with Media in a School Crisis (Blog)
Webinar Recording (Video)

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APRIL 2019: The Columbine Tragedy: 20 Years Later

It was a day like any other. Or, was it? A look back on the school tragedy’s impact on schools and crisis response.

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Resources related to the content covered in this webinar:

The Columbine Tragedy: 20 Years Later (Blog)
Webinar Presentation Slides (PDF)
Webinar Recording (Video)

MAY 2019: A Parent’s Guide to School Crisis Response

No one likes to think about the worst case scenario in a school crisis. Especially parents. But parents need to be prepared for school emergencies, too. We can help reduce fear and anxiety by sharing what to expect when the unexpected happens.