Looking for ways to observe America’s Safe Schools Week? LARGO Secure Schools specializes in school safety and compliance, so we’re especially excited to share our ideas for observing Safe Schools Week with your students and their caregivers.
America’s Safe Schools Week was established in 1984 by the National School Safety Center and is meant to motivate educators, law enforcement officers, policy-makers, and students to advocate for school safety.
Around the country, school safety and security is a top priority. And while electronic security trends in schools and legislation like the PA Act 44 can make a huge difference, getting students and their families involved in promoting safety and security can have positive long-term effects.
4 Ways Parents Can Observe America’s Safe Schools Week
Demonstrate Safe Behaviors
Demonstrate safe behaviors by following parking procedures, crossing at crosswalks, driving carefully, and yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians.
Be a Good Role Model
Be a good role model for your children by using kind words, explaining your actions, discouraging bullying, and encouraging your kids to make positive choices.
Talk to Your Kids About Safety
Stranger danger is real. Make sure your kids know what to do if they’re approached by a stranger. Designate responsible adults — such as family friends, neighbors, teachers, law enforcement officers — who your children can trust if you’re not around.
Get Involved in School Safety
Get involved with your child’s school by volunteering as a room parent, eating lunch with your child, chaperoning field trips, helping out at special events, and supporting school fundraising efforts and events. This will help you develop stronger community bonds and gain a better understanding of school safety policies.
4 Ways Students Can Observe America’s Safe Schools Week
Surround Yourself with Good Friends
Choose your friends wisely. Be a role model and a leader, not a follower. It should go without saying that avoiding smoking, alcohol use, and other drugs is the way to go.
Be a Joiner
Get involved with positive activities that help relieve stress and connect you with like-minded students who are making healthy choices.
Report Suspicious Behavior
Immediately report suspicious or potentially dangerous activity to your teachers, school administrators, or school police. This includes anything you might witness in real life or see on social media.
Practice Random Acts of Kindness
Combat bullying with kindness. Start a kindness jar in your classroom or homeroom. Think about what kindness means to you and what it looks, feels, and sounds like. As you and your classmate’s witness acts of kindness, make a quick note of them and slip them into the jar. At the end of each week, hold a kindness celebration by reading from the submissions. It’s a great way to highlight the compassion you and your peers showered on one another throughout the week.
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LARGO Consulting Services, LLC is committed to providing safe and secure environments where you live, work, study, and play. For more information about LARGO Secure Schools, please contact LARGO Consulting Services, LLC online or call 833-LARGOCS. We also invite you to connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.