8 Things We All Can Do to Help Create Safer Schools

As a former school board member and one of the hosts of the American Classroom podcast, I'm always looking for ways to improve education and ensure our children have a safe environment to learn and grow. 

In a recent episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Vanessa Whitener, an educator, former school board member, and passionate advocate for school safety. Our discussion covered a wide range of topics, from the evolution of school safety concerns to the importance of community involvement in creating a secure learning environment. Drawing from Vanessa's insights and my own experiences, I've compiled a list of eight concrete actions we can all take to help create safer schools for our children.

1. Foster Open Communication Between Schools, Law Enforcement, and Community Leaders

One of the key takeaways from my conversation with Vanessa was the significance of open communication between schools, law enforcement, and community leaders. When these entities work together and share information, they can more effectively address safety concerns and prevent incidents from escalating. 

As parents and community members, we can encourage this collaboration by attending school board meetings, participating in community forums, and advocating for the establishment of education committees that bring together superintendents, principals, student resource officers, and police.

By promoting a culture of transparency and cooperation, we can ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to identifying and addressing potential safety issues. This could include anything from reporting suspicious activity near school grounds to sharing information about social media challenges that encourage students to engage in dangerous or destructive behavior.

2. Encourage Parental Involvement and Communication with Schools

Parents play a crucial role in creating a safe school environment. By staying involved in their children's education and maintaining open lines of communication with teachers and administrators, parents can help identify potential issues early on and work with the school to find solutions. This could involve informing teachers about changes in a child's home life that may affect their behavior or discussing concerns about bullying or social media use.

Additionally, parents should take an active interest in their children's online activities and social media presence. By monitoring their child's digital footprint and discussing the importance of responsible online behavior, parents can help prevent cyberbullying, sexting, and other digital dangers that can spill over into the school environment.

3. Support Mental Health Initiatives and Resources in Schools

Mental health is a critical component of school safety. Students who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors or lash out at others. By supporting mental health initiatives and resources in schools, we can help all students find friendship, academic achievement, and develop positive relationships.

This could include better training for school counselors, social workers, and psychologists, as well as promoting programs that teach students about emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and healthy coping mechanisms. Parental involvement is key in all areas and nothing should be hidden from parents. By prioritizing mental health and wellness, we can help students feel more connected and supported to succeed both academically and personally.

4. Advocate for Comprehensive School Safety Policies and Procedures

Comprehensive school safety policies and procedures are essential for preventing and responding to potential threats. As parents and community members, we can advocate for the development and implementation of robust safety plans that address a wide range of scenarios, from natural disasters to active shooter situations.

These plans should include clear protocols for emergency communication, evacuation, and lockdown procedures, as well as regular drills and training for students and staff. Additionally, we can push for the installation of physical safety measures such as secure entrances, surveillance cameras, and panic buttons while also ensuring that these measures are balanced with the need for a welcoming and nurturing learning environment.

5. Promote a Culture of Respect, and Kindness

Creating a safe school environment goes beyond physical security measures; it also requires fostering a culture of respect, and kindness for all. When students feel valued, supported, and connected to their school community, they are less likely to engage in bullying, violence, or other harmful behaviors.

As parents and community members, we can model these values in our own interactions and encourage our children to do the same. This could involve volunteering at school events, recognizing good citizenship, or simply taking the time to listen to and validate our children's feelings and experiences. By promoting a culture of empathy and understanding, we can help create a school environment where all students feel safe, respected, and ready to learn.

6. Support Programs That Teach Digital Citizenship and Online Safety

In today's digital age, online safety is just as important as physical safety when it comes to creating secure learning environments. As Vanessa pointed out in our interview, students need to be taught about the risks and responsibilities associated with social media, online privacy, and digital content creation.

As parents and community members, we can advocate for the integration of digital citizenship and online safety lessons into school curriculums. This could include workshops on topics such as cyberbullying prevention, responsible social media use, and the legal and ethical implications of creating and sharing digital content. By empowering students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, we can help prevent online conflicts from spilling over into the classroom.

7. Encourage Student Voice and Leadership in School Safety Initiatives

Students are often the first to notice when something isn't right at school, whether it's a classmate who seems depressed or a social media post that raises red flags. By encouraging student voice and leadership in school safety initiatives, we can tap into this valuable resource and help students take an active role in creating a secure learning environment.

This could involve establishing student safety committees, peer mentoring programs, or anonymous reporting systems that allow students to share concerns without fear of retaliation. By giving students a platform to express their ideas and experiences, we can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for school safety that extends beyond the classroom walls.

8. Support Funding for School Safety Resources and Personnel

Creating safer schools requires more than just good intentions; it also requires adequate funding for resources and personnel. As parents and community members, we can advocate for increased funding for school safety initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels.

This could include supporting ballot measures that allocate funds for school resource officers, mental health professionals, and physical security upgrades. It could also involve lobbying elected officials to prioritize school safety in their budgets and policy agendas. By investing in the resources and personnel needed to keep our schools safe, we can create learning environments where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

School Safety is a Responsibility of the Entire Community

Creating safer schools is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of parents, educators, law enforcement, and community members. By working together and taking concrete actions to promote communication, inclusion, mental health, and digital safety, we can help prevent tragedies and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a secure and nurturing environment.

But our work doesn't stop here. As Vanessa and I discussed in our interview, school safety is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort, adaptation, and improvement. We must remain vigilant in identifying and addressing new challenges as they arise, whether it's the rise of new social media platforms or the emergence of new forms of cyberbullying.

As parents and community members, we have the power to make a difference in the lives of our children and the safety of our schools. Let us take the insights and strategies discussed in this post and put them into action in our own lives and communities. Let us be the change we wish to see in the world, and let us work together to create schools where every child can learn, grow, and thrive in safety and security. The future of our children and our society depends on it.

If you want to learn more about the American Classroom podcast, please visit AmericanClassroom.Show.

Listen to the correlating episode here.

Watch the correlating episode here.