An unusual student disappearance, unexcused student walk-away, or a stranger on an elementary school campus creates anxiety, fear, and often panic in a school-community.
The case of Kyron Horman, a second-grade Oregon student who has been missing since June 4th, 2010, has generated intense attention and discussion on elementary school security issues. The seven-year-old never arrived in his classroom after attending a science fair at the school with his step-mother. The step-mother has since been a rumored person of interest in the case.
In the July/August issue of District Administration Magazine, I authored an article entitled, “Protecting Elementary School Students from Harm.” It is a quick read and one-page, but loaded with 12 practical, cost-effective things school can do to better protect elementary school students.
In the article, I highlight a dozen prevention and preparedness measures which can help reduce elementary school safety risks and improve crisis preparedness. Some tips for better protecting elementary students include:
- Enhancing supervision
- Staying on top of custody issues
- Train students not to open doors and to report strangers
- Train staff on reporting hostile and threatening individuals
Check out Protecting Elementary School Students from Harm for more tips.
Would your school know what to do to handle a high-profile elementary school safety incident and reassure parents?
Ken Trump
Visit School Security Blog at: http://www.schoolsecurityblog.com