Safe Schools

From my experience as a teacher and coach (and parent), students need to have structure and boundaries and some positive activities (sports, arts, music, etc) to channel their energy.

I recommend:

1. Improving discipline by establishing and enforcing clear expectations for student behavior. Teach appropriate behavior and conflict resolution skills beginning in the elementary grades.

2. Hiring and training more school resource support staff (especially at the high schools and middle schools). These should be people trained to work closely with administrators and staff to help enforce school policies and monitor hallways, cafeterias, and other common areas. Schools “must ensure that racialized disciplinary disparities are eliminated and equitable educational opportunities affirmed”. (National Prevention Science Coalition)

3. Hiring more teachers to reduce class size and reconfiguring school buildings to allow for greater security and reduced threat exposure.

Resources:

• Select Virginia Legislation with Safety Implications for K-12 Schools (December 2023)