Protecting Our Students
Unfortunately, there is no way to protect all of our students. Since we can’t protect, the next best thing we can do is to prepare them. Help them be more aware of the increasing dangers that abound. In addition, we have to do this in a way that does not make them anxious or afraid. What a task.
Strangers
Can your students determine the following?
- Who is a stranger?
- Who are safe people for me to turn to?
- Who am I really talking to when I am online?
- What information is safe to post online?
- What if I get myself in a bad situation?
- Who can I call?
American Red Cross Safety Tips
- Lock the doors and if your house has a security system, learn how to turn it on.
- Do not open the door to strangers. Always check before opening the door to anyone, looking out through a peephole or window first. Make sure it is a safe person that your parents would want you to let inside.
- Never open the door to delivery people. Without opening the door, ask them to leave the package outside the door.
- On the phone, don’t tell anyone that your parents are not at home. Just tell them that your parent is not available to come to the phone. Offer to take a message. Keep paper and pencil by the phone.
- Do not talk about being home alone on social media web sites. Do not share information in chat rooms. You may not be talking to the person that you think you are.
- Do not leave home without permission. If your parents let you go outside or to a friend’s house, call a parent before leaving and after you arrive at where you are going.
- If you hear a concerning noise outside, call your parent or a trusted adult. Don’t go outside to see what it is.
- If you have an emergency, such as a fire, go to a neighbor’s house, and then call 911.
- Don’t invite friends over unless parents give you permission to do so.
- If you are allowed to have friends over, make sure you don’t allow them to pressure you into doing something that is against home rules.
This can be a bit overwhelming to children. But if the information can be presented in a straight forward manner, it can lessen their anxiety.
Pause To Ponder!
Do you have young children in your building who spend time after school unsupervised?
What impact can school counselors have in helping them learn to keep safe?