When it comes to providing a safe learning environment for students, parents and schools must work together. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Office of Parent Engagement encourages and supports parent involvement at all levels of public education in the state. In light of recent acts of violence in schools, children and teens may experience anxiety, fear, and a sense of personal risk. It is important for adults to provide information and guidance on how to react.
SchoolSafety.gov provides resources such as guidance, training, and fact sheets to help schools create and maintain a safe learning environment. The Parent Support Line is an excellent resource for parents and caregivers of children from 0 to 18 years old. Staff can help with advice, support, and advice to help resolve the emotional and relational issues of parenting. This downloadable training module was designed to help elementary and secondary schools and school districts better understand site evaluations and associated key concepts such as crime prevention through environmental design and universal design.
It also introduces SITE ASSESS, a free site assessment tool, and provides instructions on how to use it. These resources are designed to help schools and districts train, plan, and prepare for a wide range of hazards such as public health emergencies, natural disasters, and school violence. The Virginia Board of Education's state policy on students who attend a “persistently dangerous” school or who are victims of violent crime while in a public school or on its grounds is to provide those students with the opportunity to attend a safe school within the school division. The VDOE monitors data on violence and criminal acts in schools to identify schools that need technical assistance to improve safety and create environments conducive to teaching and learning.
The Department of Education provides schools, school districts, and state education agencies with resources aimed at creating and encouraging a positive school climate, preventing school violence, and protecting the entire school community through protection, safety, and emergency management and emergency preparedness planning. Program offices, grant programs, and technical assistance centers respond to recommendations from the Federal Commission on School Safety and help professionals continually protect students, staff, and families in their school community. In order for schools to be successful in creating a safe learning environment for students, it is essential that parents are involved in the process. Parents can provide valuable insight into their child's needs as well as offer support in developing strategies for addressing any potential safety issues.
Additionally, parents can help ensure that their child is aware of the resources available to them if they ever feel unsafe or threatened at school. By working together with parents, schools can create an environment where students feel safe and secure while they learn.
