For a Safe Back-to-School, Everyone Has to Get on the Prevention Bus

Newswise — For many students, the biggest back-to-school concern is finding out if you share homeroom with friends.

But school safety should come first, for students, parents and faculty alike, says Scott Poland, Ed.D., professor of psychology at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and author of four books on school crises.

According to him, the best way to stave off safety concerns is to get students, parents and administrators on the same page at the start of the school year.

"Advisors in the first week of school (should stress) the important role that students have in school safety and discuss methods of seeking adult help," recommends Poland. "It is not enough for administrators and teachers to meet regularly to improve school safety. There must be planned activities for students that create a sense of belonging and responsibility for safety at school."

Holding weekly safety advisory discussions, installing Concerned Person's Report Boxes in hallways, continually surveying students about safety issues and requiring signed safety pledges are some of the ways he suggests enhancing school safety.

Poland says it is important to prevent the "conspiracy of silence," where students fail to tell adults about homicidal and suicidal statements from their peers. This phenomenon occurs because of fear of retaliation from classmates, disbelief that a violent incident could actually happen, prior conditioning toward silence and lack of trust in adults to do the right thing, he says.

"It is also crucial to get parents on board with safety initiatives," Poland says. "Parent meetings outlining a school's safety procedures tend to be highly attended participatory events."

"Through hard work and student involvement, school safety can be increased," Poland says.

He has served on national crisis teams after numerous school shootings, including those in Littleton, Colo., and Red Lake, Minn. Poland also serves as a chair of the National Emergency Assistance Team for the National Association of School Psychologists.