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STUDENTS AGAINST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE
BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS
It is "that" time of year again. Students are heading back to
school and it's hard to determine who is more excited, the
students or the parents! Your students have their pens and
paper, and their outfits for the first day of school, but have
you thought about their safety and what you need to do to
prepare them for a safe school year? A small amount of planning
now, can help your student to have a more pleasant and safer
experience for beginning the school year and beyond.
Before School Begins
- Check student records at school.
- Is your contact information correct?
- Do they have your work and cell phone number?
- Do you have alternate contacts in case you cannot be reached?
- Are your student's medical records up-to-date,
including allergies and current medications?
- Discuss with your child the school's weapons policies.
- Stress that no weapons can be brought onto school campus, including pocketknives, sling shots, and BB guns.
- Talk to them about what to do if they find a weapon.
Under no circumstances
should they touch the weapon. Find a responsible adult and tell them.
- You may want to review S.A.V.E.'s Weapon Safety Rules
- If you have an elementary student, print out the
Ernie the Elephant Weapon Safety coloring book and review with your student.
- Contact the school for a copy of their emergency policies.
Review with your student what will happen in an emergency.
- Where will students be located?
- When and where will parents reunite with children?
- Contact the school for a copy of their safe school plan.
- Do they have a plan that has been practiced?
- What measures are being taken to ensure that your
child's safety is a school priority?
- Do they have a visitor's policy? Is it enforced?
- Discuss with students the importance of sharing information.
Stress to them that if they hear students talking about being
destructive or hurting someone, that it is OK to tell a
trusted adult - parent, teacher, counselor, law enforcement
officer, principal.
Before Leaving Home:
- Ensure that your student has identification with them that
includes emergency contact information such as work numbers
and cell phone numbers.
- If riding their bicycle, be sure they have and wear their
bicycle helmet.
- Clothing - if your student must walk to or from school or
stand at the bus stop be sure that they wear light clothing or
clothing with reflective stripes.
Bus Stop Safety:
- Discuss with your student the importance of walking
directly to the bus stop.
- No visiting neighbors before going to bus stop
- No playing at the playground or friends houses on
way to the bus stop
- Do not allow your student to be at bus stop alone. If the
parent cannot accompany the child to the bus stop, they should
go with a buddy or in a group.
- Remind them not to talk to strangers, and never to get in
a stranger's car. Stress to them they cannot help someone look
for a puppy or other distraction.
- Remind students that there should not be any horseplay
at the bus stop.
Traveling to school:
- Plan with your student the safest route to walk or bike.
- Discuss with them the importance of staying away from unsafe
areas.
- Practice the route several times reminding them how to
safely cross streets and what to do when they come to an intersection.
Managing Conflicts
After School
- Be sure to have a plan for when your student returns
home from school.
- If your child will return to an empty house, upon
his/her arrival he should know whom to immediately contact
to verify arrival.
- Discuss with your student daily what occurred at school.
Be sure to explore any concerns they have.
By planning, preparing and practicing, parents can help
their student have a safer and more successful school year.
National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere
SAVE: Youth Voices... Grown-Up Choices! Toll Free 866-343-SAVE
For more information contact cwray@nationalsave.org / Copyright 2012
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