Safe Schools Criteria

Implementing criteria to make schools safe can be a somewhat daunting task for all involved but it is important for the safety of not only the students but for the entire school faculty. Some of the criteria to ensure school safety may seem like common sense but there must be clear cut guidelines to each and every rule in order to decrease the risk of double standards.

A few of the criteria that make a school environment considered safe come from the reporting procedures. Communication is key to keep any environment safe. Plans set forth to report the suspicion of child abuse and neglect must be put into place as well as informing teachers and staff members of students in which may have behavioral problems. Informing staff members of such students will better prepare them for unruly behavior if it comes forth.

Proper disaster routines and emergency procedures should be practiced and put into place from the first day of school in order to keep the environment from chaos in the even of a disaster. Acts that may result in suspensions, expulsions and even other disciplinary actions should be explained not only to staff members but to students as well. Clear cut boundaries may prevent a student from arguing any gray lines in certain offenses. Along with the previous stated a very well established and explained sexual harassment policy needs to be in action not only during school hours but at after school functions as well.

Dress codes have also become very important in recent years. Provocative dressing or wearing articles of clothing having to do with gang affiliations or offensive wording are typically not prohibited due to the results of wearing such articles of clothing. Each and every child deserves the right to not be bullied due to the shoes they are wearing or called names because they are wearing the wrong color. School should be maintained as a neutral learning environment.