Back-to-School Safety Tips: A Guide for Parents, Students, and Educators

As summer comes to an end, students, parents, and teachers are all finding new routines, classes, and friendships. These times are exciting and remind us to review safety practices in and out of the classroom. This season represents a key opportunity for GSRMA and our School Districts to reinforce a safety-first mindset that can prevent accidents and create a secure learning environment.

Here are some of the most essential back-to-school safety tips to keep in mind this fall:

1. Traffic and Pedestrian Safety

Morning and afternoon school commutes are often times of increased traffic congestion, and accidents involving pedestrians can spike. Parents, students, and drivers must be aware of these heightened risks.

For students: Always use crosswalks and follow school crossing guards’ directions. Avoid distractions like cell phones or earbuds when walking near traffic.

For drivers: Be extra cautious in school zones, reduce speed, and watch for children crossing streets or walking near the road.

For parents: If driving, use designated drop-off and pick-up areas to avoid causing congestion or endangering children. Carpooling can also help reduce traffic.

2. School Bus Safety

For many students, the school bus is the primary mode of transportation. Understanding and practicing proper bus safety is crucial.

At the bus stop: Arrive early, stay a safe distance from the curb, and wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before approaching.

On the bus: Always remain seated, keep aisles clear, and follow the driver’s instructions.

For drivers on the road: Be aware of school buses stopping for drop-offs or pick-ups. Never pass a bus when its stop sign arm is extended; always stop when children are boarding or disembarking.

3. Emergency Preparedness

Schools should have clear emergency procedures, including fire drills, lockdowns, and severe weather protocols.

For parents: Familiarize yourself with the school’s emergency plan and ensure your contact information is up-to-date with the school in case of an emergency.

For students: Practice drills seriously, understand the evacuation routes, and know how to respond during a lockdown.

For educators: Stay updated on emergency protocols and communicate these procedures to students at the beginning of the school year.

4. Cybersecurity and Online Safety

With more schools incorporating digital platforms for learning, keeping students safe online is as critical as physical safety.

For students: Never share personal information online, and be cautious when interacting with others through social media or educational platforms. Cyberbullying and inappropriate content can pose risks.

For parents: Monitor your child’s online activity and talk to them about responsible digital behavior. Familiarize yourself with the school’s internet use policies.

For educators: Ensure cybersecurity measures are in place on school devices, such as firewalls and antivirus software, and teach students about digital citizenship and data privacy.

5. Bullying Prevention

The start of a new school year can bring anxiety around bullying. Students need support from parents, teachers, and school officials to prevent and address bullying.

For students: Understand what bullying looks like (verbal, physical, online) and report it to a trusted adult if you or someone else is experiencing it.

For parents: Stay informed about your child’s social interactions and create an open line of communication where your child feels safe discussing school issues.

For educators: Proactively identify bullying behaviors and create an inclusive, respectful classroom culture where all students feel safe.

6. Health and Wellness

Maintaining student health is a top priority, especially as flu season approaches and COVID-19 variants remain a concern. Schools should encourage proper hygiene practices to reduce the spread of illnesses.

For students: Wash your hands regularly, avoid sharing personal items, and stay home if you feel unwell.

For parents: Keep your child home when sick, encourage good hygiene habits, and ensure your child is current on vaccinations.

For educators: Promote a healthy classroom environment by regularly cleaning common areas and encouraging students to cover coughs or sneezes.

7. Backpack Safety

Proper backpack use is an often-overlooked safety concern. Overloaded or improperly worn backpacks can lead to strain or injury.

For students: Use both shoulder straps and adjust your backpack to fit snugly against your back. Keep the weight of your bag to 10-15% of your body weight.

For parents: Help your child organize their backpack, removing unnecessary items to keep the load manageable.

For educators: Be mindful of homework loads and encourage students to leave heavy books at school if possible.

8. Facilities Maintenance: A Shared Responsibility

School facilities, from playgrounds to classrooms, play a crucial role in students’ daily lives. Maintaining these spaces is essential for ensuring a safe, healthy, and comfortable learning environment. While custodial staff are primarily responsible for upkeep, everyone in the school community can contribute to keeping facilities in top shape.

For students: Take ownership of your space by cleaning up, reporting any hazards (like broken equipment or water leaks), and treating school property with care. Small actions like throwing trash in the bin or wiping up spills can prevent accidents.

For parents: Encourage your children to be responsible for their surroundings. If you notice any maintenance issues during visits or events, report them to school staff. Volunteering for school clean-up events can also make a big difference.

For educators: Stay vigilant for potential hazards in classrooms or common areas, such as loose floor tiles, faulty lighting, or malfunctioning equipment. Promptly report issues to maintenance staff to prevent them from escalating.

For administrators: Contact your Risk Control Advisor for facility inspections and invest in necessary repairs or updates to prevent small issues from becoming larger safety or liability concerns. Encourage a culture where everyone feels responsible for maintaining a safe environment.

A Safe Start to the School Year

As students return to classrooms, safety should be a top priority for everyone. By following these simple yet effective back-to-school safety tips, parents, students, and educators can work together to ensure the school year begins smoothly and safely.

At GSRMA, we believe these guidelines serve as an important reminder that safety is a shared responsibility. Reach out to your Risk Control Advisor or Riskcontrol@gsrma.org to explore how we can create safer school environments and mitigate risks before they become incidents. Let’s all do our part to keep our communities and children safe as we head back to school!