Safety in schools should be given the utmost priority, and there are many ways schools have changed in recent years to increase the safety of children. This essay will summarize some of the safety concerns schools have and ways in which they increase safety and address those concerns.
September 11th was an event that put safety concerns into the front of public life. Since that event, schools have collaborated with their local law enforcement to address safety issues. Schools across the country face different threats, and law enforcement with public schools aim to teach appropriate reactions to events ranging from terrorist attacks to earthquakes. The No Child Left Behind Act requires schools to have plans on file that keep and maintain safe and drug-free environments.
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"Safety In Schools".
Violence in schools is a very real threat, and teachers need to be vigilant in keeping schools violence free. It is up to teachers to observe all students and watch out for violent behaviour – not just in those students to which they are assigned. In School Law & the Public School the authors write “it is important for teachers to be visible and observant in hallways, on school grounds, and during extracurricular activities. If they notice signs of disruptive behaviour, appropriate steps must be taken to address deviant behaviour consistent with school or district policy. (Essex, 106) Teachers should not allow children to harass or intimidate others, and appropriate rules for behaviour should be set in place and regularly explained to children. It is vital that all school staff are vigilant and address any danger signs that may lead to violence. Alternative ways to deal with disagreement and discord amongst children should be discussed openly an d freely to encourage communication rather than rash violence.
Bullying is another severe behaviour that should be observed and altered immediately. “Bullying may involve physical or verbal acts intended to harass, intimidate, or create anxiety and fear among victims.” (Essex 106) Bullying creates a hostile environment in the school and can end in serious injury or death. A number of school shootings were the result of bullying. There have also been reported suicides due to relentless bullying. Bullying is not restricted to school grounds – increasingly it is taking place online via social networking sites. Vigilance in school, and a no tolerance attitude toward bullying, as well as regular communication with parents to watch for the warning signs of bullying at home can greatly increase the odds of stopping bullying before someone gets hurt. “The key issue involving bullying centres around the relationship between the bully and the victim and the intent of the person who exhibits bullying behaviour.” (Essex, 106) There is usually a power difference between the bully and the victim, such as physical size or social clique.
Gangs introduce another level of violence and intimidation in schools. Gangs are groups of individuals “involved in unusually close relationships” (Essex, 111) who share a common identity and express that through a shared display of certain signs, symbols, speech, or manner of dress. These organized groups are often involved in drugs, weapons trafficking and other forms of illegal activity. (Essex, 111) There are many reasons youths join gangs, “including peer pressure, neglect, economic reward, a sense of identity, the desire for excitement, the need for recognition or acceptance, and lack of appropriate involvement.” (Essex, 111) Putting restrictions on gang dress or implementing a school uniform are ways to break the outward symbolism of gangs within schools. At risk children should be targeted early and involved in extracurricular school programs to incorporate them into society and give them a sense of belonging outside of the structure of a gang.
Drugs are a reoccurring problem in schools, and children are taking them at earlier ages. Regular drug testing, drug sniffing dogs, and zero tolerance policies are beneficial to keeping drugs out of schools.
- Essex, Nathan L. School Law and the Public Schools: A Practical Guide for Educational Leaders. Boston: Pearson/A and B, 2005. Print.
