Advice on how educators can react when tragedy strikes is the focus of this book. It discusses school emergencies, making recommendations to help school administrators, teachers, district administrators, school staff, and district policy-makers prepare for, respond to, and contain a crisis. The book is based on the collective experience of school and district administrators, faculty, and staff and grew out of specific circumstances school officials had to face. Chapters 1 and 2 include information that will be needed as school and district personnel begin planning for the management of school emergencies. Chapters 3 through 7 examine the problems encountered during the management of school emergencies, focusing on the use of technology to meet communication needs and how to deal with the media, rumors, and parents. Chapters 8 and 9 discuss counseling strategies and media relations after the emergency is over, whereas the last 4 chapters outline the steps necessary to develop school and district emergency plans. Two appendices provide reference materials that can be used in the planning process. (RJM)