ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

Parents can help create safe schools. Here are some ideas that parents in other communities have tried:

Listen to your child if he or she shares concerns about friends who may be exhibiting troubling behaviors. Share this information with a trusted professional, such as the school counselor, school resource officer, principal or teacher.

If you know or hear that a student is planning to do harm, even if he/she say it’s a joke, you MUST TELL SOMEONE; the police, a school official, a school counselor – someone. If they don’t take you seriously, then tell someone else until someone does.

Note any disturbing behaviors in your child. For example, frequent angry outbursts, excessive fighting and bullying of other children, cruelty to animals, fire setting, frequent behavior problems at school and in the neighborhood, lack of friends, and alcohol or drug use can be signs of serious problems. Get help for your child. Talk with a trusted professional in your child’s school or in the community.

Talk with the parents of your child’s friends. Discuss how you can form a team to ensure your children’s safety.

Help your child find ways to show anger that do not involve verbally or physically hurting others. When you get angry, use it as an opportunity to model these appropriate responses for your child and talk about it.

Teach your child how to solve problems. Praise your child when he or she follows through.

Talk with your child about the violence he/she sees – on television, in video games, and possibly in the neighborhood. Help your child understand the consequences of violence.

Discuss the school’s discipline policy with your child. Show your support for the rules and help your child understand the reasons for them.

Involve your child in setting rules for appropriate behavior at home.

Work with your child’s school to make it more responsive to all students and to all families. Share your ideas about how the school can encourage family involvement, welcome all families and include them in meaningful ways in their children’s education.