Connections

Parents: An Integral Part of School Safety

Volume 7 / Issue 4 / Summer 2007

A parent calls a bullying hotline because her eighth-grade daughter, who is bright and makes good grades at her school, is being singled out for taunts and hurtful rumors by a group of ninth-grade girls. Recently it’s gone beyond just words, and the girls are becoming more physically aggressive—following her after school and shoving her “by accident” in the halls. The girls have even thrown rocks at the mother’s car as she pulled out of the school parking lot. Her daughter has been at home for over a week, terrified to go back to class. While school administrators say they will handle it, they’re beginning to suggest maybe her daughter would be better off to change schools.

Research shows that students who feel unsafe or threatened at school fail to perform to their academic potential, and some students avoid school altogether when they are afraid of being harassed or harmed. Parents can serve as critical resources for schools to maintain a safe, positive, and welcoming climate so students are better able to achieve academic success. There are a variety of ways for parents to promote school safety, including understanding school policies and being an active participant in school activities.

A safe school sets high academic standards and clear, consistent rules of behavior and discipline that are consistently and uniformly enforced. It encourages caring relationships between students and at least one adult at the school, provides opportunities for all students to participate, makes use of effective community partnerships, and promotes quality after-school activities. A safe school prepares for emergency situations and practices its plans. In addition to these qualities, safe schools enjoy a high level of parent involvement.

As a parent you should be familiar with the existing safety policies and procedures at your child’s school and understand that safety policies vary from one state to another and from district to district. Some topics for consideration include:

• What are the behavior and discipline rules at your child’s school? Make sure your child understands what is expected and is aware of the consequences of breaking rules. Be prepared to work with the school to enforce consequences.
• Are there safety protocols in place regarding campus security—such as requiring visitors to check in, allowing students to leave campus, and alerting someone about suspicious behavior?
• Does the school monitor its emotional climate and have policies regarding bullying or fighting? If a lot of bullying occurs, encourage the school to implement an evidence-based bullying prevention program.
• Familiarize yourself and your family with the school’s policy and programs concerning drugs, alcohol, and weapons.

If there is a parent component for the prevention of violence and substance abuse, be involved. If not, review the materials and discuss them with your child.

• Does your school have access to an anonymous, confidential school safety tip line where people can report concerns about safety? For instance, the state of Colorado has signed into law an initiative that provides an anonymous, toll-free tip line that is answered around the clock by the Colorado State Patrol. Thousands of calls have been placed since its debut in 2002, and as of May 2007, 400 interventions have occurred, including suicide prevention, weapons recovery, substance abuse, and threats of planned school attacks.

• Make sure your family knows what to expect during a school crisis or emergency situation. For example, how will the school release information or contact parents? What are the procedures for student pickup? Many schools have a designated location for evacuations and require a parent or pre-designated person to show a photo ID to pick up a child after an incident.
• What resources (i.e, counseling, workshops, newsletters, Web sites) does the school offer to students and parents if there are problems?

Parents can contribute to school safety by being active in their children’s education. Helpful ways to be involved include:

• Attend meetings and conferences; Get to know teachers and school staff.
• Encourage other parents to be involved at school by getting to know them and asking them to join parent associations, help with fundraisers, or volunteer during school events.
• Participate in the school’s safety planning committee or safety activities.
• Spend time with your child and encourage a positive commitment to school. Be involved with homework. Discuss problems like bullying or difficulties in class. Ask for help from the school if there are ongoing problems.
• Monitor and supervise your child’s activities and friends. If you suspect something is wrong, talk to your child—encourage him or her to talk to a teacher or other person in authority at the school to get help. You may need to help resolve difficult situations before they escalate.
• Consider the possibility that your child is being bullied, if he or she develops anxiety about attending school or psychosomatic illness (such as unexplained headache or stomachache). Work with the school to make sure bullying isn’t tolerated.
• Find out if there are any neighborhood or traffic considerations your school is concerned about. If so, learn what precautions need to be taken and make sure your child understands them.
• Familiarize yourself with parent resources regarding school safety. Several federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice, and school safety centers offer information and guidance for parents. Ask teachers and administrators for any specific areas where they can use your help.

Schools remain one of the safest places for your child to be each day, and parents are an integral part in maintaining that safety. It’s an ongoing and evolving concern, as are the measures we take to combat the day-to-day challenges that sometimes prevent children from feeling safe and productive at school. Schools that thrive in student safety and academic success couldn’t do it without parents who are alert and active.

—Susan Lineberry

Susan Lineberry is communications director and professional research assistant at the Center for the Study & Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado at Boulder.