The Importance of School Safety

School safety plays a vital role in youth development and academic success. It’s not achieved with a single program or piece of security equipment. Rather, effective school safety starts with prevention. School safety programs such as bullying prevention and positive discipline are just as important to school success as high quality instruction. Creating a safe and supportive environment is central to safeguarding the welfare of our children.

Back to School Safety Training

Back to school safety training helps foster an ongoing culture of safety, productivity and confidence. Before a new school year kicks off, your staff should receive a refresher on policies and procedures, as well as opportunities to sharpen their skills. Providing district-wide safety training empowers employees, reduces risks and keeps everyone safe and healthy.

What is School Safety?

According to the Department of Education, school safety promotes the protection of students and school personnel from violence, exposure to weapons and threats, theft, bullying and harassment, the sale or use of illegal substances and other emergencies. Effective school safety programs begin by identifying potential areas of risk and then implementing physical and psychological safety prevention measures.

For example, to improve school safety, reasonable physical security such as locked doors, lighted hallways, and visitor check-in systems can be combined with psychological safety efforts that promote a positive school climate, such as establishing trust and empowering students to report any safety concerns.

School Bus Safety

Safety doesn’t stop at the school’s front door. Creating safe environments for our children extends to everyone doing their part to keep students safe in and around school buses as well. And it takes collaboration. Schools, families and communities must partner together to ensure a safe ride.

• Parents—Talk to your child about bus stop safety to ensure they have a safe ride. We recommend these tips.these tips.
• Drivers—Be extra cautious to ensure the safety of children boarding or getting off the bus. Here are five things to remember if you encounter a school bus on the road.
  
  1. When you see yellow lights flashing on a school bus, that signifies that it's preparing to have a child get on or off the bus; all vehicles behind the bus must come to a complete stop
  2. On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must come to a full stop when the lights are flashing red
  3. On a four-lane road, traffic moving in the opposite direction must slow down and proceed with caution when a school bus flashes either red or yellow lights
  4. Stop your vehicle at least 15 feet from the bus
  5. Remain stopped until the flashing lights are turned off and the extended stop arm is pulled back in

• Schools—Develop and implement a comprehensive fleet safety program to reduce bus-and transportation-related accidents.

School Safety Zone

School safety zones are put in place to ensure the safety of children around schools. Drivers are responsible for maintaining safety and awareness on streets within 1,000 feet of a school or any area within 100 feet of a designated bus stop. This ensures that children can walk or bike to and from school without fear of being hit by passing vehicles.

EMC knows schools have unique safety and security needs. Browse our collection of resources and services to help keep your school safe.