What does school safety have in common with The Muppets, Pac Man, Space Invaders, Rock’em Sock’em Robots, and other Christmas 2011 sightings?

Simple: What is old is new again.

I was intrigued upon seeing the return of The Muppets in their latest movie.  Then came the plug-and-play Pac Man, Space Invaders, and other first generation video games Christmas presents. Next, a Rock’em Sock’em robot game that dates back decades is back on the market.

As I watched the kids of today get excited with the characters, shows and toys of yesteryear, it reminded me how things trend in cycles.  How quickly what is old becomes new again.  And how intriguing it is that this cyclical dynamic reaches into school safety, as well.

Now well over a decade after the Columbine High School attack, we find ourselves talking to school officials about locking their doors, having crisis teams and other basic school safety fundamentals.  While some vendors and consultants are still trying to create new products and recycle old (and often rejected) training ideas, the most rudimentary best practices have fallen to the wayside in too many school communities.

As we turn the corner from 2011 into a new year, take note of how the characters, stories and games of the past came back into importance as new and eye opening items for many individuals this Christmas.   Remember to approach your 2012 school safety efforts in the same fashion by shining a light on what many safe school advocates consider the basics and fundamentals.  To a growing number of educators, these are new and enlightening ideas.

Ken Trump

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