Emergency Preparedness

A faculty member at Findley Oaks Elementary School holds a Centegix crisis alert badge during a training on Monday, March 20, 2023. The Fulton County School District is joining a growing list of metro Atlanta school systems that are contracting with the company, which equips any employee with the ability to notify officials in the case of an emergency.
A faculty member at Findley Oaks Elementary School holds a Centegix crisis alert badge during a training on Monday, March 20, 2023. Emergency alert systems have spread quickly to schools around the country as a safety measure. The nation's largest district is the latest to adopt one.
Natrice Miller/AJC.com via TNS
School Climate & Safety New York City Is the Latest to Deploy Panic Buttons in Schools
The nation's largest district is the latest to adopt emergency alert technology.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, October 31, 2025
•
4 min read
People gather at a vigil at Lynnhurst Park after a shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School on Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis.
People gather for a vigil at a local park after a shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School on Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis.
Bruce Kluckhohn/AP
School Climate & Safety Stepped-Up Security and Outreach: How Schools Are Responding to the Minneapolis Shootings
District leaders are working to assuage fears in their communities.
Lauraine Langreo & Maya Riser-Kositsky, August 28, 2025
•
2 min read
Volunteer student actors are led out of a middle school building as the Fountain Police Department conducts a training exercise for law enforcement on June 9, 2017, in Fountain, Colo. A new consensus report recommends schools avoid tactics like realistic simulations or deception when conducting drills for students.
Volunteer student actors are led out of a middle school building as the Fountain Police Department conducts a training exercise for law enforcement on June 9, 2017, in Fountain, Colo. A new consensus report recommends schools avoid tactics like realistic simulations when conducting drills for students.
Dougal Brownlie/The Gazette via AP
Student Well-Being & Movement What Schools Should Do—and Avoid—When Planning Active Shooter Drills
Schools should conduct active shooter drills in a way that minimizes emotional and psychological harm, a new study says.
Evie Blad, August 13, 2025
•
5 min read
katrina 20a
In this Aug. 30, 2005 file photo, people walk through floodwaters on Canal Street in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts. On seeing this scene one day after the storm hit land, photographer Bill Haber recalls, "Thats when we really realized how bad it was, and we had no idea how bad it would get."
Bill Haber/AP
Special Report Katrina at 20: Voices of Two Career Educators
Katrina at 20: Voices of Two Career Educators
July 25, 2025
An elementary school damaged by the Eaton Fire is seen in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 19, 2025.
An elementary school damaged by the Eaton Fire is seen in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 19, 2025.
Ringo Chiu via AP
School & District Management Opinion Schools Are Vulnerable to Climate Disasters. Principals Aren’t Ready
When an emergency forces schools to close, school leaders need more than just moral courage.
Casey Cirullo Upson, July 25, 2025
•
4 min read
Abigail Smithson, right, helps hold a large cross during a vigil for flood victims at Tivy Antler Stadium on July 9, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.
Abigail Smithson, right, helps hold a large cross during a vigil for flood victims at Tivy Antler Stadium on July 9, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. Tivy High School Principal Rick Sralla led efforts to rescue stranded campers during the floods and is now guiding students and staff through the aftermath of the tragedy.
Ashley Landis/AP
School & District Management This Principal Rescued Kids During the Texas Floods. Now, His Work Continues
Principal Rick Sralla is now guiding students and staff through the aftermath of the tragedy.
Olina Banerji, July 24, 2025
•
7 min read
School Climate & Safety Spotlight Spotlight on Enhancing School Safety and Emergency Response
This Spotlight will help you explore proactive measures and effective strategies for enhancing school safety and emergency response.
April 22, 2025
Eaton Fire evacuees Ceiba Phillips, 11, right, adjusts his mask as he and his mother, Alyson Granaderos, stand next to what remains of their in-law suite during Ceiba's first visit to their home since the fire in Altadena, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2025.
Eaton Fire evacuees Ceiba Phillips, 11, right, adjusts his mask as he and his mother, Alyson Granaderos, stand next to what remains of their in-law suite during Ceiba's first visit to their home since the fire in Altadena, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2025. For students, fires and other natural disasters tend to exacerbate the already-negative affects of being out of school.
Jae C. Hong/AP
School & District Management Extreme Weather Disruptions Compound Students' Lost Learning
Fires, storms, and other natural disasters can disrupt learning beyond just missed instruction. Planning can help schools recover faster.
Sarah D. Sparks, March 2, 2025
•
4 min read
Local residents pray during a candlelight vigil following a shooting at Perry High School, on Jan. 4, 2024, in Perry, Iowa.
Local residents pray during a candlelight vigil following a shooting at Perry High School, on Jan. 4, 2024, in Perry, Iowa. The deaths in school shootings last year have led to new legislation in a half-dozen states.
Charlie Neibergall/AP
School Climate & Safety States Emphasize School Violence Prevention, Not Just Security
In the wake of school shootings in their states last year, legislators hope to avert future tragedies.
Evie Blad, February 14, 2025
•
7 min read
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 2025.
Ethan Swope/AP
School Climate & Safety As Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles, Educators Offer Help and Refuge
As wildfires rip through the region, educators band together for support as they work to help students and families.
Brooke Schultz & Ileana Najarro, January 9, 2025
•
9 min read
Close up of FEMA paperwork
iStock/Getty
School & District Management 3 Tips for Districts to Maximize FEMA Funding After a Natural Disaster
District leaders who have been through natural disasters stress the need for thorough documentation, even if it seems excessive.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, December 16, 2024
•
5 min read
Are You Ready? emergency road sign.
iStock/Getty
School & District Management 'It Sounds Strange': What Districts Can Do Now to Be Ready for Natural Disasters
It's tempting to push natural disaster preparations to the backburner. These district leaders advise against it.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, December 10, 2024
•
4 min read
Vector illustration of a businessman trying to catapult through stack of warning signs.
iStock/Getty
School Climate & Safety How to Judge If Anonymous Threats to Schools Are Legit: 5 Expert Tips
School officials need to take all threats seriously, but the nature of the threat can inform the size of the response.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, November 21, 2024
•
3 min read
Tightly cropped photo of hands on a laptop with a red glowing danger icon with the exclamation mark inside of a triangle overlaying the photo
iStock/Getty
School Climate & Safety What Schools Need To Know About Anonymous Threats—And How to Prevent Them
Anonymous threats are on the rise. Schools should act now to plan their responses, but also take measures to prevent them.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, November 20, 2024
•
3 min read
Load More ▼