The Role of Parents and Guardians in School Safety

School safety is a community effort, and one in which parents and guardians play a vital role. Below are some steps you can take to contribute to a safer school community.

• Know your child and their friends

• Know what they are watching, reading, listening to, and talking about.

• Monitor your child’s social media accounts.
• Know their interests, their hobbies, and what they do during their free time.
• As parents, you often know about dangerous trends or rumors or threats before we do. You know your child better than anyone, and you know things that are happening outside of school hours.

Communicate with your child

• Set expectations, such as following school rules and being a responsible part of the school community.

• Listen to their concerns. If they mention it, then it is probably important to them.

• Don’t be afraid to approach your child with difficult questions if you have a concern about their behavior or the behavior of their friends.

Teach your child

• Teach them how to handle adversity and conflict appropriately.

• Encourage them to report bullying, intimidation, or harassment, and encourage them to report things they hear about threats to the school or to other students.

• Ensure they know there is a difference between snitching or tattling and responsible reporting.

Familiarize Yourself

• Learn about new trends of youth behavior and warning signs that your child may be troubled or involved in a risky or dangerous behavior.

• Know how and when to intervene when your child or others may be at risk.
• Know what school or community resources are available to help children at risk of or engaged in risky behavior.

Communicate with the school.

•  Be involved with the school.
•  Know your child’s teachers and principal, and know what your child is doing at school.
• Share your concerns with school officials.
• Let the school or the District office know if you hear of threats or anything else that may endanger our students or staff.