SMYRNA, DE — As Delaware students and teachers prepare to return to school, the Delaware School Safety Center (DSSC) presents a series of safety tips for families and caregivers that support personal safety and psychological well-being throughout the school year. The DSSC, part of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, works year-round to help schools create safe, supportive learning environments, and encourages parents to review their safety routines with their children.
“Keeping students safe continues to be a top priority for parents and educators,” commented DEMA Director, A.J. Schall. “By partnering with local schools, DSSC supports proactive measures that contribute to safe learning environments.”
Consider the following important back-to-school safety tips for families:
● Open Communication – Encourage your child to share concerns about safety, peer interactions, or unusual incidents. Tools like SafeDE, developed specifically for use in Public and Charter schools, make it easier for students and parents to report concerns quickly and confidentially. Take time to familiarize yourself and your child with how to access and use these reporting tools. (https://de.gov/demaschoolsafety)
● Safe Routes to School – If your child walks or bikes, choose and practice the safest route, avoiding busy roads and crossing only at designated areas. Practice the route together until they feel confident traveling on their own. (www.saferoutesinfo.org)
● Personal Safety – Review personal safety practices with your child, regardless of age. Avoid relying solely on the term “Stranger Danger,” as many unsafe situations involve someone the child already knows. Instead, provide a list of trusted adults they can turn to in an emergency. (www.missingkids.org/education/kidsmartz)
● Internet Safety – For children with internet access, discuss the importance of protecting personal information, recognizing potential online risks, and avoiding sharing sensitive details. The Delaware School Safety Center also works with schools to train staff in identifying potential online threats as part of our broader prevention efforts. (www.dfinow.org)
● Emergency Contacts – Ensure your child knows their full name, your phone number, and at least one alternate emergency contact. Encourage memorization so they can get help even without a phone.
● Bullying Awareness – Talk to your child about kindness, respect, and inclusion. Encourage them to speak up if they witness or experience bullying. Through our Behavioral Threat Assessment training, we help schools recognize signs of distress and connect students with resources before situations escalate. (https://www.centerforsafeschools.org/bullying-prevention)
● Emergency Preparedness – Schools will review emergency procedures early in the year. Reinforce these lessons at home by discussing what your child should do in various scenarios, from fire drills to lockdowns. Emphasize the importance of staying calm and following directions during emergencies.
“Safety is a shared responsibility between schools, families, and communities, commented DSSC Executive Director, Joey Melvin. “By working together and using resources like those offered by the Delaware School Safety Center, we can help ensure every child has a safe and successful school year.”
As background, DSSC provides a wide range of services to Delaware’s public, charter, and private schools, including:
● SafeDE Anonymous Reporting System – a secure, statewide platform for reporting safety concerns, threats, or suspicious behavior without fear of retaliation is available in both public and charter schools.
● Behavioral Threat Assessment Training – equipping school teams with tools to identify individuals who may be at risk of harming themselves or others and connecting them to appropriate support services.
● School Safety Assessments – conducting physical security evaluations and recommending improvements to enhance building safety.
● Emergency Operations Planning – assisting schools in developing and maintaining comprehensive, compliant emergency plans.
● Crisis Communication Guidance – helping schools prepare for effective, accurate communication during critical incidents.
● Training and Resources – offering professional development on topics such as bullying prevention, emergency preparedness, and incident command.
Subscribe to the DSSC newsletter at https://de.gov/dsscnewsletter for more school safety tips and information. Learn more about DSSC programs and resources at https://de.gov/demaschoolsafety
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