As children grow and gain independence, their safety before and after school becomes a concern. Ensuring students’ safety is a shared responsibility between schools, teachers, and parents. By implementing clear safety protocols and creating an environment of trust and communication, educators will play an important role in protecting children.
Road Safety
Teaching students the basics of road safety is essential. Schools should regularly incorporate road safety education into their curriculum, emphasising the importance of using pedestrian crossings, looking both ways before crossing the street, and waiting for the green light at traffic signals. Encourage students to make eye contact with drivers before crossing to ensure they are seen. These habits are necessary for students’ safety, especially when walking to and from school.
Key Contacts
It’s important for students to know key contact information, including their parents’ names, phone numbers, and home addresses. Teachers can help reinforce this by providing activities that encourage students to memorise these details. For younger students, consider having them carry a card with this information securely in their backpack. This can be invaluable in case of emergencies, helping school staff or first responders quickly reach a parent or guardian.
Providing students with a list of useful contacts and emergency phone numbers is also a good idea. Schools can supply students with wallet-sized cards that include contact numbers for their parents, school administrators, and emergency services. These cards can be lifesavers in situations where quick access to help is needed.
Trust Your Instincts
Empowering students to trust their instincts is an important part of their safety education. Schools should create awareness programs that teach children to recognise uncomfortable situations and encourage them to remove themselves from such situations immediately. Reinforce the idea that if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t, and they should seek help from a teacher, school staff, or another trusted adult.
Body Autonomy
Body safety is another vital topic that schools need to address. Educators should be teaching students that their bodies belong to them and that no one has the right to touch them inappropriately. Incorporating age-appropriate lessons into the curriculum about consent and body autonomy helps children understand their rights and the importance of saying “no” to unwanted physical contact. Students should also know they can report any incidents of inappropriate touching to a teacher or counsellor without fear of getting into trouble.
Trusted Adults
Building a safe and trusting relationship between students and educators is key to their mental and emotional well-being. Teachers and school staff should strive to create an environment where students feel comfortable talking about their concerns. Regularly check in with students, ask them about their day, and listen attentively. This open line of communication makes it more likely that students will report any troubling experiences.
Stranger Danger
Stranger danger awareness is an essential part of keeping students safe. Schools should educate students on how to identify and avoid strangers, stressing the importance of not
going anywhere with someone they don’t know. To enhance safety, consider introducing a school-wide code word that students can use to verify the identity of people who claim to be sent by their parents for pick-up. This code word should be known only to trusted family members and friends.
Recognise Unsafe Behaviour
Educators should also teach students how to recognise and report unsafe behaviour. Focus on behaviours rather than the types of people, helping students understand that anyone can exhibit unsafe behaviour. Encourage students to report any suspicious actions to a teacher, school counsellor, or parent. Clear procedures for reporting such behaviour should be communicated to students, parents, and staff.
Maintaining communication with local parents and being aware of who students walk home with can further increase safety. Schools can create a sense of community by facilitating connections between parents and encouraging them to form networks that look out for each other’s children. This community approach helps ensure that students are not left to navigate potentially dangerous situations alone.
Clear rules about getting home after school should be communicated and reinforced regularly. Schools can work with parents to establish guidelines on where students should go after school, who is authorised to pick them up, and what time they should be home. These rules help create a predictable and safe routine for students.
Lastly, remind students that in any emergency, they should call 111. Schools should conduct regular drills and safety briefings to ensure students know how to respond in various emergency scenarios. Having a clear understanding of how to seek help can provide students with the confidence they need to stay safe.
