50+ School Safety Tips for 2019

Table of Contents

1. Regularly update school safety plans
2. Make staff, students and parents aware of all safety policies
3. Provide teacher safety training
4. Organize a school safety team
5. Create a complete emergency response plan

1. School bus safety
2. Outdoor activity safety
3. Emergency preparedness
4. Physical and mental health
5. Bullying and violence

• Try to arrange a safe bus stop location, so children don’t need to be near busy roads.  
• Create signs near the bus stop to identify the “danger zone” that students should stay clear of when waiting to board.
• Oversee and document bus safety inspections throughout the year.
• Create a volunteer program for older students (ie. high school) to help children get on and off the bus. You can work with your local police service to offer safety training to these volunteers.

• Give students time to pack their things and get to the bus stop early.
• Encourage a “snack time” near the end of the day so students are less inclined to eat on the bus.
• Practice “quiet time” and teach strategies for reducing noise levels.
• Instruct older grades to look out for younger students at the bus stop and assist them if necessary.

• Avoid the “danger zone” when waiting to get on the bus. Tell the bus driver if you dropped something near the bus- don’t pick it up yourself.
• Place bags and other belongings under your seat.
• Sit facing forward for the entire journey.
• Try to be quiet at all times, to avoid distracting the driver.
• Stay in your seat until the bus comes to a complete stop.

• Announce indoor recess and reschedule sports events during severe weather.
• Conduct regular safety checks of playground equipment.
• Provide water and snacks for students during sports events or other outdoor activities.
• Make sure the building’s heating and cooling systems are always in good working condition.

• Check for playground hazards when on yard duty.
• Avoid outdoor activities in hot weather. Try to avoid scheduling outdoor lessons during the hottest time of day: between noon and 3 pm.
• Encourage students to take frequent breaks during physical activity.
• Watch for signs of weather-related illness or brain injury. Assist any students who exhibit these signs.  

• Drink plenty of water and take breaks often during any physical activity, especially if it’s outside.
• Report any unusual symptoms after outdoor activities to a teacher.
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing. Dress in layers to prepare for any changes during the day.
• Wear sunscreen and reapply during the day.

• Create and frequently update your emergency response plan, providing easy access to the documents for all staff.
• Schedule regular emergency response drills throughout the entire year.
• Choose a designated entrance to your building and ensure all other doors are locked from the outside.
• Make sure classroom door locks are high quality and up to date.

• Promptly inform your school leader of any special requirements for individual students.
• Hold regular classroom safety drills outside of the scheduled schoolwide drills.  
• Consider including emergency preparedness in your curriculum. Use FEMA’s Be a Hero curriculum as a guide.

• Actively listen and participate during regular safety drills.
• Keep a cheat sheet of potential emergencies and the best ways to react.
• Have all family members’ phone numbers written somewhere accessible.  
• Report anything suspicious to your teacher or another staff member.
• Create an “emergency kit” for school and home, filled with things you may need in different emergency situations.

• Keep first aid kits and ice packs in the school office at all times.
• Promote safety in hallways. Make sure floors are cleaned often, especially during winter.  
• Create school-wide initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles. For example, host a morning “breakfast club” so all students can eat in the morning.
• Keep up-to-date school allergy lists posted throughout the building, and make spare EpiPens available.
• Consider hiring support workers such as school counselors or social workers. You can also get community organizations to give informative presentations to students.

• Include active listening, social/emotional skills and mental wellness in your curriculum.
• Talk to your students before resorting to discipline. Work to find the underlying issue and watch out for any warning signs of physical or mental health issues.  
• Allow students breaks to collect themselves in stressful situations.
• Assign digital resources when possible, to lighten the weight of students’ bags.

• Don’t run or push in the hallways
• Let a teacher know if you feel hurt or sick. Talk to a teacher or counselor if you feel stressed or mentally unwell.
• Practice healthy habits- get proper sleep, choose healthy foods and exercise regularly.
• Don’t be ashamed if you need to take a break to calm yourself down.
• Use active listening if a peer confides in you. Report any potentially dangerous information to a trusted adult.

• Create anti-bullying initiatives, promoting kindness and inclusion.
• Provide resources to staff and students about what to do in bullying or violent situations.
• Record bullying behavior and note any patterns in your school, so you can target specific bullying issues.
• Make an effort to build a positive school culture and promote favorable attitudes from staff and students.
• Take relevant security measures to prevent violent behavior from students. Consider installing security cameras or metal detectors, depending on individual school needs.

• Understand the difference between bullying and conflict (bullying involves repeated aggressive behaviours where a power imbalance exists).
• Encourage communication from parents about bullying and take their concerns seriously.  
• Don’t label students as “bullies” or “victims.” Work with each student to understand and solve the situation. Don’t assume one child is completely at fault.
• Be aware of the signs of bullying and violent behavior, taking appropriate action when necessary. Don’t tell the students to “talk it out,” as this does not tend to help bullying situations.

• Be kind to other students, including those outside of your friend group.
• Include other students in games and activities as much as possible.
• Be a good bystander: let a teacher know if you suspect someone is being bullied, or if you witness a situation you think might become violent.  
• Only confront someone who is bullying if you feel safe to do so. Stand up for yourself in a calm, clear manner.
• Practice “I” statements. For example, instead of saying, “you’re being mean,” try saying, “I feel upset when you do that.”