The school year starts sooner than you think. That means we should start thinking about it now, so we can be 100% ahead of and on top of things when that first morning is upon us. From navigating roads, to online safety, to bullying and even school violence, we have to make plans for a lot of situations.
Here are 9 key points, based on interviews with experts and my own experience raising two kids through the schools, to lock down between now and the beginning of the school year.
Top 9 School Safety Topics
Plan The Route to School. No matter what mode of transportation your child takes, grab an hour to take that route using the mode they will during the school year. Look for potential hazards like tripping risks or busy crossings, and look for points of safety like a friend’s house or police substation. Familiarize yourself and your child, so everybody knows what they need to know. Do this in the morning and afternoon — traffic patterns change as the day goes on.
Teach Pedestrian Safety. If your child walks to school, review and remind them of the key pedestrian safety practices:
Walk in the opposite direction as traffic
Walk on the left side of the road
Look both ways before crossing the street.
Use crosswalks whenever there are any
Cross at crosswalks whenever possible, even if that means walking farther
Obey traffic signals (smaller kids might need to be taught how to use them)
Keep phones in the backpack while walking
Keep headphones out while walking
Insist on Safe Biking. If your child bikes to school, sit down and go over the rules of biking to school. It’s reasonable to set these an a condition of keeping the privilege.
Ride in the direction of traffic
Ride on the right side of the road
Come to a complete stop at every intersection or road crossing
Obey traffic signals, using the same signals as cars
Always wear your helmet (and any other safety gear you think is needed)
Keep phones in the backpack and headphones out while biking
Exercise special caution in rain, and do not bike in snow
Have lights and reflectors if you’re biking when it’s dark
Cover Bus Safety Rules. Riding the bus has adult supervision, but kids need to take responsibility for their own safety before and after the ride.
Stand still at the bus stop, well back from the curb
Wait for the bus to stop completely before approaching
Stay seated and facing forward during the ride
Follow bus driver instructions
Report bullying to school authorities the same day it happens
Do not stand up until the bus has stopped completely
Exit the bus cautiously
Help Teens Drive Safely. The day will come when your teen wants to drive to school, or be driven to school by a friend. This can mean a lot to them, but also comes with many risks. Here are some things to do about them.
Set the rule of leaving 15 minutes early every day, so your teen is never in a hurry driving to school.
Do not let them drive to school when it’s snowing or icy. Drive them yourself or let them stay home.
Set the rule that phones are zipped in a bag or pocket for the entirety of the drive.
Limit the number of friends they can have in the car. Many states have this as a requirement for the first year or two with a license.
Consider installing a dash cam or speed monitor. They’re a little invasive, but the statistics say they make a real difference.
Dive Into Online Safety. Between online research for school, social media with friends, and gaming, your kids will spend more time online during school than when they’re out. Review some basic online safety ideas, and choose the ones you think are best.
Keep personal information private - unless you’re talking with somebody who already knows that information in person, don’t share details.
No devices in the bedrooms or bathrooms.
Recognize and report cyberbullying.
Set a “screen bed time” an hour at least before actual bed time.
For teens, discuss the consequences and risks of sharing inappropriate content
Have a Plan for Bullies. Bullying is a reality of school, no matter how much we wish it wasn’t. Create a plan with your child for what to do if they are a victim of, or if they see, bullying. Likewise, create a plan where your child comes to you with any concerns about bullying — and a plan for exactly who you will talk with and what you will insist on when you hear about bullying.
Create a Rally Plan. A sudden weather closure in the middle of the day (for example) is not the time for your family to come up with a plan for how to pick up the kids during an emergency. Have your “rally plan” set up by the first day of school. That plan should include:
Who leaves work to pick up the kids
If your kids go to multiple schools, whether one person does both or each parent goes to a different school
For teens, (or kids within walking distance of home) whether or not they see to their own transportation
What to do if the plan breaks down
Where everybody will gather and count heads
Set Up Emergency Communications. Whether it’s a personal emergency like not having pads when they’re needed, a school-wide emergency like a lockdown, or a community emergency like a natural disaster, your family will need to know how they’ll communicate. I recommend setting up a Facebook or WhatsApp chat group. They’re more reliable in emergencies, don’t depend on school wifi or access to the office phones, and allow people to leave a message for others to see when they get a chance.
If you want to go deeper on back to school safety, I’ve created a Back to School Safety Challenge that walks you through these, and other important safety factors, over the course of a week. I normally charge $99 for it, but email me and I’ll get you a discount. I know the guy in charge.