4 FAQs About School Safety in 2019

School safety is on the top of the minds of parents, students, teachers, and school administrators alike, and for good reason. With an uptick in school shootings and natural disasters that threaten the lives of students and staff, it's not surprising to encounter an influx of questions from the school community. But it's important to be prepared with a response and understand why some frequently asked questions are critical to address. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about school safety today:

1. What Are You Doing to Ensure the Safety of Students and Staff?

Parents, students, and faculty members want to know that student safety is a priority at your school. That's why this is an important FAQ to consider and think about. When answering this FAQ, think about your school safety plan. Is it addressing all of the concerns parents and staff may have? If your plan is still in progress, consider advising interested parties that you are working on enhancing safety protocols and making a continuous effort to do so.
 

2. What is the Procedure for a School Lockdown?

When active shooters or bomb scares threaten the safety of students and staff on your campus, you have to have a plan for locking down the school securely to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Your answer to this frequently asked question is critical because it helps parents understand what to do in the event of an emergency that requires a school lockdown. You can put these school safety issues at bay by identifying clear protocols for school safety during a lockdown.

3. How Do You Communicate with Parents and Staff?

Parents want to know how they can be reached in the event of an emergency. So, it's important to answer this FAQ with care and consider the concerns of parents and staff. You can explain your different outreach methods, such as communicating via a school messaging alert system, social media, and the district blog. Also, you can implement an update notification system that empowers staff.

One way to answer this question is by providing teachers with the assurance of communicating via a two-way message system, such as with the Badger Messenger®. For instance, you can explain to teachers that they can use the Badger Messenger to communicate with staff in the event of an emergency, such as a child who requires immediate medical attention or an altercation that escalates in the classroom. The technology is subtle as teachers can have it attached to the back of their IDs, but it leaves a powerful impact. By addressing these concerns, you can help empower teachers with the tools and knowledge they need to support school safety.
 

4. What Safety Precautions Do You Take When Natural Disasters Strike or Are Approaching?

It's crucial to answer this FAQ through the eyes of parents and staff. You can explain how you're communicating throughout your school with an update notification system that empowers your staff. An example is Badge Messenger. This school messaging alert system provides teachers with the assurance of communicating via a two-way message system. You can also show how social media and your district blog are other good methods of outreach.

School safety concerns can be put at ease when you know how to answer some of the most frequently asked questions school communities have.