How we can Keep our Children Safe

School shootings are a sad truth that needs our collective attention.

Safety is always at the front of parents’ minds, and at Navigate STL Schools, our mission is to find the best educational fit for kids – event if that means helping them understand the factors that impact safety in and outside of the classroom. That being said, the name of the game is collaboration. It takes parents, educators, and the community to build the best environment for our children to live without fear.

The deciding factors of which school your student attends is no longer as simple as academics and extracurricular programs. Now, more caregivers understand the complexities created as a result of the lack of attention put into ensuring our education system evolves – in many cases, this unfortunately means an assessment of the soundness / safety measures of a given school environment.

In recent history, the uptick of gun violence within school walls is alarming. Gun violence affects everything from students, teachers, and families to the general community. Besides the physical harm, it inflicts psychological harm and snatches security from our children. Changing student mentality, cutting into the learning process, and constantly throwing parents and caretakers into worry for their children. 

However, we can do things as a community combat this. First and foremost, we can start by ensuring every student feels noticed, listened to, and supported. When children feel confident that there is an adult that they can confide in (such a teacher, counselor, or other staff member) they will feel less alone, and more likely to seek help before (often small) problems unravel and become bigger problems.

Parents and schools working as a team are vital in building this sense of safety. Schools can encourage values such as empathy and active bystander intervention. This teaches our kids that speaking up is okay and necessary when they see a peer struggle or when something doesn’t seem right. Creating this culture is vital for preventing violence before it occurs. Such an approach builds a positive community in which students feel responsible for themselves and their fellow students.

By staying informed and being proactive about school safety, you can help too! This starts with coordinating and making sure your student understands their school emergency response plan and regularly discussing safety practices at home. Children must know what to do in an emergency and feel comfortable discussing their concerns.

Schools serious about mental health build a climate of well-being, empathy, and early intervention. As parents, being active in your student’s life is essential – both academically and emotionally – as they go hand in hand. Going to safety-in-school meetings, becoming acquainted with the personnel, and not being afraid to question the measures taken to protect your children are all ways you can advocate for your student’s mental health. Additionally, even if you don’t have children, you can advocate for increased mental health funding and push programs that will teach children empathy and how to handle conflict. 

Together as a village, we can ensure that school is where children can learn, grow, and thrive fearlessly. Gun violence in schools is tragic and may not be preventable. However, if the families are involved and schools are supported, we can make a significant shift to end this violence and free our youth from this fear. Every act matters and goes a long way in developing a community dedicated to our children’s safety, empathy, and learning.

Learn more about school safety and find resources that best suit your child at Navigate STL Schools. Let’s make tomorrow safer for all our kids so they can learn to grow and prosper.