PCP School Safety and Crisis Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student threatens another student via social media after school hours. As principal, what should you do FIRST?
- Assess whether the threat poses a credible danger to school safety (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since it occurred off-campus
- Suspend both students immediately
- Wait for law enforcement to contact the school
Correct answer: Assess whether the threat poses a credible danger to school safety
Principals must assess all threats for credibility and potential impact on school safety regardless of where they originate.
Question 2: Which element is MOST critical when developing a school reunification plan for a large-scale emergency?
- A designated reunification site away from the school (Correct answer)
- A list of substitute teachers
- Updated textbook inventory
- A student attendance ranking by grade level
Correct answer: A designated reunification site away from the school
A secure, pre-identified reunification site ensures families can safely reclaim students without creating congestion or security risks at the school building.
Question 3: Which type of hazard assessment should a principal conduct annually to comply with federal school safety standards?
- All-hazards risk assessment (Correct answer)
- Financial audit
- Curriculum alignment review
- Teacher evaluation cycle
Correct answer: All-hazards risk assessment
An all-hazards risk assessment identifies vulnerabilities to natural, technological, and human-caused hazards and is required under federal school safety guidance.
Question 4: A principal wants to improve school safety culture. Which strategy is MOST effective long-term?
- Building trusting relationships so students report concerns proactively (Correct answer)
- Installing more security cameras
- Adding a second security guard
- Increasing random locker searches
Correct answer: Building trusting relationships so students report concerns proactively
Research consistently shows that a positive, trusting school climate where students feel safe to report threats is the most effective long-term prevention strategy.
Question 5: Under most state laws, a principal is required to report which of the following to law enforcement?
- A student bringing a weapon to school (Correct answer)
- A student receiving a failing grade
- A teacher arriving late to school
- A parent disputing a discipline decision
Correct answer: A student bringing a weapon to school
Possession of weapons on school grounds is a criminal matter, and principals are legally mandated reporters in such cases.
Question 6: What is the recommended protocol when a principal receives a bomb threat via telephone?
- Keep the caller talking, gather details, then notify authorities and initiate evacuation (Correct answer)
- Hang up and call 911 immediately
- Announce the threat over the PA system first
- Consult the school board before taking action
Correct answer: Keep the caller talking, gather details, then notify authorities and initiate evacuation
Keeping the caller engaged allows staff to gather critical information while a second person simultaneously contacts law enforcement.
PCP School Safety and Crisis Management 2
A student threatens another student via social media after school hours.
As principal, what should you do FIRST?