SpeakingSpeaking UpUpWhen It CountsWhen It Counts

TedTed Oberg, ABC13 Investigative Reporter

After 9-1-1 It’s Too LateAfter 9-1-1 It’s Too Late• Come up with a plan now – not just for crisisCome up with a plan now – not just for crisis

• Who will be responsible for communicating Who will be responsible for communicating your message?your message?

• Collect Contacts TodayCollect Contacts Today

Say Say Something !!!Something !!!

Say itSay itFast!!!Fast!!!

Say itSay itAgainAgain

It’s OKIt’s OKif it hurts… and it willif it hurts… and it will

You Can’t Control the MessageYou Can’t Control the Message@SpringISD@SpringISD #SpringHS#SpringHS

First StepsFirst Steps• Tell parents what happenedTell parents what happened

• Doesn’t have to be completeDoesn’t have to be complete

• It has to be HONEST!!!It has to be HONEST!!!

• Establish a person and place for media & parentsEstablish a person and place for media & parents

Second StepsSecond Steps• Make sure staff on site know where PIO is & Make sure staff on site know where PIO is &

direct media theredirect media there

• Start answering questionsStart answering questions

• Be HONEST about what you know & don’t Be HONEST about what you know & don’t knowknow

Let’s Say it TogetherLet’s Say it Together

““I don’t know the answer to I don’t know the answer to that question, but I will do my that question, but I will do my best to get you an answer right best to get you an answer right away.”away.”

This won’t end on Day 1• Prepare for follow-ups• Media will want to be on campus – you DON’T

have to let us in – but should provide some photos

• Reinforce the managed message that school is a safe place

This will be your story…• Tell your story

• Let the police tell theirs

• Make sure your students & parents know school was and will be a safe place

Thanks to...Thanks to...John WilsonJohn WilsonSenior ConsultantSenior ConsultantCenter for Safe and Secure SchoolsCenter for Safe and Secure SchoolsHarris County Department of EducationHarris County Department of Education

www.safeandsecureschools.orgwww.safeandsecureschools.org

Thanks to...Thanks to...National Association of Independent SchoolsNational Association of Independent Schoolswww.nais.org

National Association of School PsychologistsNational Association of School Psychologistswww.nasponline.org