How Safe Are Public Schools?

Since my daughter began Kindergarten in the fall, I have been very concerned with school safety. As a teacher, we were taught how to handle crisis situations, bullying, and even first aid. But as a parent in a new school district, how can I be sure that my child is safe? My concerns began when I picked my daughter up for the first time, ID in hand, and no one asked who I was. I walked into the office, signed my name (which no one looked at) and they let me walk right into the school. The ladies in the office had never seen me before, but they trusted that I was safe. I figured I looked pretty harmless in my jeans and t-shirt. Not to mention, I had a little three year old in tow. But why does my appearance automatically deem me safe? The next few times I came in, they still didn’t ask who I was. They even stopped looking up from their work. So I decided to start asking some safety questions.

My questions definitely caught them off guard, but I don’t believe it should have. My first question was simple enough; does your school have a crisis situation plan? A simple yes or no would have seemed to be the logical answer. But what I got was a blank stare, followed by a “what do you mean, crisis plan?”. When I was a teacher, we all had to go to a crisis plan seminar and our students even practiced putting the plan into action, like you would a fire drill. If any parent was to ask us our plan, we would know the answer automatically. However, the secretary had to ask the Vice Principal. The Vice Principal’s response was, “Yes, we have lots of plans for crisis situations.” My response, “Well, what is your open shooter plan?” Her response, “If you leave your email, I can look it up for you.” Look it up for me?!?!?!? If the staff of my daughter’s elementary school encounters an open shooter, they will have to ask him/her to stop firing while they look up their plan. How do they not see the problem here? My husband tries to calm me down by reminding me that they are only in elementary school. What real harm could a grade school child do? First off, a grade school child could do as much harm as any grown adult with a gun. Second, this past week a third grader put a fork to someone’s throat on the school bus. And third, an angry parent or other adult could enter the building at anytime.

To further my “investigation” on school safety, I sent my husband to have lunch with my daughter. My husband has never been in her school, and the secretaries and teachers have never met him. I told him to go sign in at the office without speaking to the secretaries or offering an ID. I was hoping that when a strange man was entering the school someone would speak up and ask for some identification. But unfortunately, they didn’t. He walked right in and no one gave him a second glance.

If you feel unsure of your child’s safety in his/her school, I found a great list from FamilyEducation.com that you can take to your next PTO meeting or to your own private meeting with the school’s principal.


The List

1. Is student safety a priority for your school and your community?

2. Do parents have access to reports that include information about the number of violent or other unsafe incidents at the school?


3. Does your school have procedures for responding quickly to unsafe situations?

4. Is your school addressing ways to prevent as well as respond to crises?

5. Are the school board, school principal, school superintendent, teachers, school staff, parents, students, and community professionals all involved in these efforts?

6. Has someone been designated to coordinate activities to maintain a safe and healthy environment?


7. Are counselors and psychologists available to work with students who are troubled or disruptive?

8. Do students in all grades participate in classes to help them develop conflict resolution and other life skills?

9. Do school health service providers help or refer students who come to them with concerns about safety?

10. Does the school emphasize promoting self-esteem and respect for others in all aspects of the school program?

11. Are parents and students involved in activities that promote school safety?

12. Are teachers encouraged to set examples of positive physical, social, and emotional health?

13. Does the school have fair, firm, consistent discipline policies?

14. Are school facilities attractive and hazard-free?

15. Is safety addressed in all aspects of the school program-the cafeteria, physical education, classrooms, playgrounds, after-school programs, etc.?

16. Do school staff, parents, and community members working on school safety collaborate?

Do you feel safe sending your child to public school? Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!