How Parents Can Handle Threats to School Safety
Some of the questions parents have about school safety may include how school lockdowns or drills are implemented, what other plans are in place to help kids stay safe, and how to talk to handle kids’ questions or anxiety about school safety. Here are some ways parents can assess how prepared their child’s school is for an emergency.
·Learn about the school safety drills that are being conducted in your child’s school. Ask your school’s principal and safety officials what plan they have for emergencies such as fires, bomb threats, and armed intruders. Other questions to ask: Are school officials and safety experts meeting regularly to discuss safety procedures? Are they holding safety drills at different times of the day?
·Talk to your child’s school about any questions you might have.
·Find out what your child knows about school safety, bomb threats, and lockdown drills. Ask your child if she knows what these drills are http://childparenting.about.com/od/healthsafety/g/What-Is-A-School-Lockdown-Drill.htm and ask her if she knows what to do in the event of an emergency like a potentially dangerous situation.
·Reassure your child that these drills and other precautions, like fire drills, are just to practice how to stay safe and talk to your child to find out what she’s thinking, what she thinks she knows, and what she’s afraid of or worried about. Young children often have lots of misconceptions about things they see and hear, so you may need to clear up any confusion your child may have.
·As in other situations the calmer and confident we stay the calmer they will stay. If your child is especially nervous or worried talk to his/her guidance counselor, teacher, or vice principal about your child’s state and worries.
·Most bomb threats are just threats. I used to bring children to a Jewish recreation center and during that time 3 bomb threats came and no bomb was ever found. Evacuations and closings but no bomb. Parents remained calm and used assurance and humor and distraction well.
·In the place of bringing up the actual threat see if anything has come up at school or about school he or she would like to talk about. If they are upset about it chances you will hear them talking about it with siblings, friends or directly to you or their other parent.
·Knowledge and preparation is key. Living in fear and anxiety will not help your child. Spirituality, open communication with your child, assuring them, and open communication with the school is key.
originally posted Feb 25, 2015 at 11:00 AM •
