Crisis recovery starts with the crisis, not after. Without a plan to reunite Central 301 students and parents, we exacerbate the stress and potential trauma of the crisis itself and we jeopardize the responsibility of the school and district in maintaining the chain of custody for every student. No school or district is immune to emergencies; fires, floods, tornadoes, blizzards, power outages, and bomb threats or other acts of violence could initiate the need for a reunification for a school or district.
A predetermined, practiced reunification method ensures the reunification process will not further complicate what is probably already a chaotic, anxiety-filled scene. In fact, putting an orderly reunification plan into action will help defuse the emotion building at the site.