Often a student's safety depends on his ability to manage conflict effectively. This activity emphasizes cooperation and use of communication and compromise to reach a safe outcome for all. Materials include Popsicle sticks, glue, aluminum foil, straws, construction paper and scissors. After polling students for examples of people working together, students then pair up to construct some creation of their choosing out of the materials provided. After 30 minutes, students discuss what compromise or communication skills they found necessary during this activity.
Students should experience an activity on school safety involving the Internet while on the Internet. Through virtual field trips, students learn to properly and safely navigate through cyberspace. Students also learn the value of online privacy and getting permission from an adult to share private information. Activity facilitators may wish to utilize recent news stories or personal experience regarding the violation of online privacy and the resulting consequences. Activity facilitators may wish to edit stories for age appropriateness.
Most likely a school-wide assembly or other meeting involving a PowerPoint presentation and a school floor-plan, this activity involves educating the student body, school staff and parents about the risks and dangers of school facilities after regular school hours. This activity consists primarily of making the appropriate people familiar with those who have authorized access to after-hours or weekend activities on school property. Discuss in detail potential safety issues, introduce key people and discuss recently implemented safety procedures.
A number of providers produce some very comprehensive materials on wide-ranging school safety topics. Some providers focus on specific areas or topics like Internet safety or school violence. Others provide a broad range of information on specific programs and activities to assist schools in educating, preparing and involving students, staff and parents about the critical issues of school safety.