Children should memorize their personal information like their full name, parents' names, address and phone number in case of an emergency. Parents should ask open-ended questions about their child's day at school to engage them in conversation and look for any vague or concerning answers to discuss with their teacher. Being present at the school by volunteering or joining the PTA allows teachers and staff to better know the parents and keep children safe.

1. TIPS TO KEEPING KIDS
SAFE WHILE IN SCHOOL
DAN DECOURSEY
MEMORIZE IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
All children should memorize and practice clearly
reciting their full name, parents' names, address and
phone number. This information is critical in an
emergency and should a child ever become lost.
TALK ABOUT THEIR DAY
Make sure to ask open-ended questions that can't be
responded to with a single word. Instead of asking, "How was
your day?", try asking, "What is something exciting that
happened at school today?". If any of the child's answers were
vague or concerning, talk with his or her teacher as soon as
possible.
BE PRESENT AT THE SCHOOL
Regularly volunteering in the classroom, taking a part of the
Parent Teacher Association or taking time to schedule regular
conferences with the teacher will let the teacher and staff get
to know you better.
DON'T LABEL ON THE
OUTSIDE
Children's backpacks, jackets, water bottles and
lunchboxes easily get misplaced. It's a good idea to label
these items so that they can be returned to the rightful
owner; however, never write a name on the outside that
can be visible to strangers.
PAY ATTENTION
It's normal for children to be excited about school one
moment and grumpy and tired the next. If personality
and sleeping changes continue, however, this can be a
sign that something is wrong that needs to be dealt with
promptly.
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