Each week the equivalent of fifty 48-passenger bus loads of students do not return to school because they have died. Created to foster successful responses to crisis situations, this book serves as a step by step reference guide for school administrators, counselors, and other faculty. Techniques are presented for dealing with: (1) murders; (2) suicide; (3) accidents; (4) terminal illness; and (5) loss of personal safety due to school hostage situations, fire, or natural disaster. A sample crisis response manual as well as sample crisis events are provided in the document. Suggestions are provided for: (1) selecting a crisis response team; (2) developing an effective crisis plan; (3) dealing with the media; (4) organizing effective meetings under pressure; and (5) appropriate follow up. Contains 27 references. (SR)