As we embark on another exciting Back-In-School season, let’s take a moment to emphasize the importance of safety for our children. The transition back to school comes with a mix of emotions – anticipation, nervousness, and a dash of excitement. Let’s help ensure a smooth and safe experience for our children with a few tips to consider:
- Bully Prevention: Talk to your children about the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. Encourage them to speak up if they witness or experience bullying. When I talk about the bullying system, I’m talking about ‘D’ all the above;
- Teacher responses: (some teachers say ‘oh, it’s nothing their just kids’),
- Parent responses: (‘Oh, did you hit them back?),
- Kids responses: (I heard so-and-so say…)
- Economic responses: (kids less well-off money wise, clothes wise)
Elementary kids should not know these things. It’s always been around high school and middle school. To me, it’s semi-natural and semi-learned behavior; friends, siblings, parents, family, whoever’s in their environment. It brings them down and that takes a toll, so that when they get to high school mental health plays its part. It’s like, ‘I’ve had enough. I’ve asked teachers to help me, counselors, parents, friends, and it feels like I’m alone. Well, this is how I’m going to take care of it.’
- Response Plan: Ensure that your child knows what to do in case of emergencies like fire, drills, lockdowns, or severe weather situations. We need to as a community, we’re all responding no matter what, have a plan. You can’t plan it out 100% because not every situation is the same. But we have a basic idea of how it’s going to go. Teachers or parents are the first responders, so every school or household needs to have that training so that they know what to do to buy time for the police and medical responders to arrive.
- Traffic Awareness: With the increased traffic around schools, it’s crucial for drivers to exercise extra caution. Obey speed limits, stop signs, and avoid distractions such as phone use. Be vigilant near crosswalks, school zones, and bus stops. What I see as the number one traffic violation is bigger kids getting drivers licenses and failing to stop at stop signs.
- Stranger Danger: Reinforce the importance of not talking to strangers. Teach your children to recognize uniformed police officers, teachers, and other school staff as safe individuals to approach if they need help. Familiarize your children with the safest routes to and from school. If you’re driving by and see an open gate on the playground, get out and close it. Ensure that your children know how to reach you or another trusted adult in case of an emergency. Consider providing them with a list of important phone numbers to keep in their phones or backpacks.
- Cyber Safety: In today’s digital age, educate your children about the responsible use of phones, technology, and social media. Encourage open conversations about online interactions and potential dangers. As far as cell phones in the school or classroom, I’m on the fence. Let’s approach it like a conceal and carry; it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
As a local Chief of Police and local police department, we are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for your children as they return to school. Officers will be visible, vigilant, and available to address any concerns or questions you may have.
Let’s work together to make this school year a memorable and safe one. Wishing you and your children a successful and safe back-to-school season!
Sincerely,
Kasey Cox
Chief of Police
Kingston Police Department
Dawn Corbett is a driven, self-motivated, elementary educator, and a molder of young minds. She has taught in public education for twenty plus years. Creating original content is something that she is passionate about and gets excited about. She knows the value of confidentiality, cooperation, and being a team player. Working as an editor and blog writer has given her a valuable opportunities to develop her own intellect and a different perspective on how to respectfully communicate with others in different styles.