Follow these back to school safety tips

Back to school, back to reality.

This is the case for many families as school has begun, and many learners returned to school to start the academic year.

This meant that parents across the country had to prepare for a demanding schedules of back-to-school shopping, extra mural activities, sport practices and teacher-parent meetings.

With all this excitement and activity, children may have found themselves faced with unsettling fears and anxieties about returning to school.

However, one can ensure that they ease the stress and anxiety of school safety by informing children about school safety, and offering supportive tips to educate them on what to do in undesirable situations.

Vision Tactical’s director Yaseen Theba said that school safety is about more than just school violence, and ensuring the safety of your child is not just the job of the educator.

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• See something? Say something:

Children are taught not to tattle on each other, however, disclosing information related to safety is critically important; it is crucial for children to be taught this.

Inform your child on what to do when they have encountered questionable and concerning information such as problematic statements, social media posts, concerning behaviour or even witness out of the ordinary behaviour. Teach children how to relay information accurately and honestly.

• Think before you post:

Research conducted by the Educator’s School Safety Network indicated that more than 50 per cent of school-based threats of violence were made, distributed, and shared via social media.

Have an open discussion with your child and educate them on what is appropriate and inappropriate to post on social media, what is considered a joke and what is not.

Teach them that joking about threats and safety issues is not okay.

• Be active, not passive:

Teach your child that safety starts with them, and to be proactive, and not a bystander.

Inform your child about what to do if they witness bullying, violence, crime and harassment.

Teach them how to address the situation, and how to appropriately act to what they have witnessed, and who to go to for help and support.

• Emergency family plans:

Ensure that have discussed and set out a plan so that your child knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Ensure that they have emergency contact information regarding emergency services, contact numbers and names of trusted family and friends who are able to assist in the event of an emergency.

Designate at least two trusted adults who your children know and trust to contact in case of an emergency, or in the event that you are not able to fetch your child.

Ensuring safety at schools starts with being proactive and following these simple guidelines.

Educate your children and others about school safety.