10 Key Questions on School Safety
(www.education-world.com/At_Home/parent/parent033.shtml) |
Here are a few
questions you can think about and potentially share with your PTO/PTA or with
school administrators, if you're unsure whether your child's school is
"covering" the topic of safety adequately.
When you walk
around your school, do you feel that all the adults working there have student
safety at the top of their minds?
Do parents have
access to information about the number and nature of violent acts (e.g.,
student fights) or other safety violations that take place at school?
Is there someone
who "owns" school safety as a major part of his or her job, who is the "go-to
person" when something happens or when a policy question arises?
Are there fully
articulated policies and procedures in place regarding school safety?
Are the right
resources available, both human (counselors) and physical (first-aid kits), to
cope with safety challenges?
Is there enough
of an effort towards prevention of safety challenges – Are students taught
safety procedures? Are there anti-bullying programs in place? Are troubled
students quickly referred to professionals who can help them? Do all teachers
and educational support personnel "know the drill?"
Is there enough
of an effort towards involving the parents in prevention efforts?
Are the
discipline policies fair, well known in the school at in the homes of students,
and applied with consistency and firmness?
Is the school as
hazard-free as possible, both inside the buildings and on the grounds? Is all
sports equipment well maintained? Are the bus drivers well versed in conflict
prevention and resolution? Are the buses kept clean and hazard-free?
Is there good
coordination between the school and local first responders such as firefighters
and police, nearby hospitals, etc., in planning for emergency situations? Are
there provisions to maintain clear lines of communication in different
emergency scenarios?
Good luck in
keeping your schools safe!
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