Nikki Hu

EDAD 632

October 25, 2017

Crisis Management

Our scenario involved a 12-year old active student who sustains a head injury

during PE and dies that evening. At school following the incident, the student would

need to be stabilized until an ambulance can arrive on scene, the parents would be called,

and an incident report completed by the PE teacher. The principal would then gather

information regarding the accident by classmates and other witnesses to the injury. The

students would be reassured at that point that the student was being cared for by doctors

and family. A follow up call would be made to the family that evening as to the

condition of the student and to ask if there was anything that the school could do.

Questions regarding medical treatment could then be asked to ensure that the child was

properly examined by a doctor and that the family took the head injury seriously.

Upon notification of the student’s untimely death, an impromptu email will be

provided to the staff giving them information on what to disclose to their students

regarding the student’s death and what resources would be available for grief counseling.

A call would be made to the district office to contact legal counsel for guidance on how

to move forward with a potential lawsuit provided that the injury was sustained at school.

Ways to support the family such as letters from classmates, floral arrangements,

donations and attending the funeral would be arranged by designated staff. An email and

phone call will be made to the district office to arrange for available counseling staff such
as School psychologists and PASS officers to support the student’s in how to deal with a

loss of a classmate. Media coverage will need to be covered, likely by the

superintendent, regarding the events that took place and subsequent death of the student.

Teachers will need to be made aware of changes in the behaviors of students to make sure

that all students have access to grievance counseling, especially those close friends or

siblings of the 12-year old student. This might mean reaching out to other schools where

siblings might attend.

October 25, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nikki Hu
nhu@mjusd.com/530-741-6121

Loss of a Student at Bridgewood Middle School

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff,

It pains me to inform you of the loss of one of our own. On Tuesday a 6th grade student at
Bridgewood Middle School, Sara Jacobson, sustained a head injury during a volley ball game in
PE class. It is uncertain as to what caused Sara’s untimely death, but she passed away that
evening. We extend our condolences to the Jacobson family and all of Sara’s many friends. Our
thoughts, prayers, and support are with them.

Our Crisis Response Team met with the staff this morning and are available to speak with any of
the students regarding Sara’s passing. Our school psychologist, David Vargas, and a few of his
colleagues are available to talk with students in the classrooms and with individual children. Our
PTA and staff has offered to provide food and monetary assistance to the family.

The following may be helpful as you talk with your child:

 Tell the truth. Talk about death vs. “going to sleep.”
 Allow for your child to talk about feelings. If this is the first loss your child has
experienced, your child may not know how to respond and will be looking for your
guidance.
 Affirm all expressions. It’s okay to express feelings honestly. Tolerate the expressions
rather than dismissing them or discouraging the expression of feelings.
 Encourage for written expressions such notes, letters, pictures to the family etc.
 Reaffirm that your child is safe and that your child is loved.
 Affirm that your child’s reaction is normal and you understand the way the child’s feels.
 Watch for signs of trouble such as aggression, withdrawal etc.
 Help the children return to as normal routine as possible.

Resources are available in our Family Resource Center to help children and families deal with
death. Continued counseling services are available at school if needed.
At this time, funeral arrangements are pending, and memorial choices are not known. If you have
any questions or concerns, please give me a call (530) 741-6121.

Sincerely,

Nikki Hu
Principal