Back to school doesn’t have to mean back-to-worrying. Though safety inside your child’s school is ultimately the responsibility of the principal and school staff, parents play a crucial role too. As children head back to the classroom this fall, be sure to talk about emergency preparedness with them and their school staff. Here are some planning tips to consider:
Get to know the school’s emergency plan. All schools should have an organized, systematic emergency operations plan in place to reduce risks or prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from a crisis situation. While the school staff has been trained and continue to receive guidance on how best to help students, the best advocate for your child is YOU! Ask your child’s teacher or a school administrator about the plans the school has in place for emergencies such as fires, blizzards, bomb threats and armed intruders. You can also ask how often school officials and safety experts meet to discuss safety procedures. While some schools may hesitate to share all parts of their plans and strategies, make yourself aware of the information available to you.
Find out where children will be taken in the event of an evacuation during school hours. In a real emergency, the school’s phone lines are going to be overloaded with calls from concerned parents. Teach children with cell phones about ‘Text First, Talk Later.’ Short, simple text messages, such as “R U OK?” and “I’m OK,” are more likely to get through than a phone call if phone service is disrupted following an emergency. As phone congestion eases, you can follow up with a phone call to relay more information.
Ensure your current emergency contact information is on file at your child’s school. Provide the school and your child’s teacher with up-to-date contact information for family or friends who can pick up and care for your child if you are unavailable.
Know and follow school security and safety measures. These might include signing in when visiting the school, being escorted when walking through the building, or wearing a visitor pass. Following these procedures also sets a great example for your kids.
Talk with your child about safety. Be specific. Talk about instinct and paying attention to funny feelings of fear. Explain what to do if he or she doesn’t feel safe (find a teacher, call 911, etc.). Make sure they know how to contact you or a trusted neighbor who is likely to be at home.
Advise the school if your child has special needs during a crisis or drill. This may include the need for assistance with mobility or communication during an evacuation or additional support due to anxiety or prior traumatic experiences. Be proactive with your teachers at the beginning of the school year so your child is not caught off guard and put in a stressful situation.
Provide the school with information about any unique needs your children may have. You can do this by filling out an emergency information form and working with school health staff to be sure there is an emergency plan on file for your child. It should include information on health issues and what is needed during other school emergencies. Consider having back up medication or other items at your child’s school in case there is an emergency where your child needs to remain in the building for a longer period of time.
For parents of college-aged students, a little research can provide peace of mind. Many college campuses offer email and text messages to alert students of potential dangers, such as severe weather and other threats. Encourage your college student to sign-up for these alerts. Some colleges also provide alert messages for parents so they are aware of potential dangers on campus. In addition, make sure your student knows the emergency plans for their dorm or apartment building.