Keep eyes and ears open for school pick up
Vigilance makes the village work
As parents, we have a lot to worry about, not the least of which is the safety of our children. And even under the safety umbrella, there are so many factors to consider.
For today, let's consider just one factor: after-school pick-up time.
No matter the best laid plans, primary level school pick-ups are hectic. At best, it's organised chaos; at worst, it can leave our young children susceptible to physical or mental harm. There are tactics, however, that we can put into practice to help keep our minds at ease and our kids safe(r).
Be alert
Staying alert and aware is critical. I've been guilty of talking on that work conference call through pick-up as I glance around, looking for my child. You may have done the same once or twice. Work is important, but it should be secondary to our children.
At pickup, actively look around. Look for strangers on campus, kids in distress, and things that are just out of place. If you see something, say something. Say something to the security, a teacher or the office. Pull out your smartphone to note the date, time and situation for future reference (not for social media or WhatsApp status posting).
Practice the handoff
Ensure your child always acknowledges the supervising adult upon entering and before leaving the space. It would be best if you did the same.
I know, you might be running late and there's lots of traffic left for you to navigate… do it anyway. Smile. Nod. Wave. Say 'good morning/afternoon'. Not only is it respectful, but it's also important. The "handoff" clearly establishes who's responsible for your child and when.
The 'handoff' is especially important when children move independently on campus – to the restroom, activities, lunch and break time, etc. I repeat, kids should never leave campus without acknowledging, and being acknowledged in return, by an adult.
Know the school
You probably already know your child's teacher. Make sure you know the aftercare supervisors, coaches, faculty, nurse and security as well.
You have the right, and the responsibility, to know everyone who has direct contact with your child. Strike up a conversation if you see them. Also don't be afraid to ask your child the names and roles of staff you see in the school and how they interact with them daily. That talk can teach your child the skills of word choice and expressive communication and that you will listen and respect their feelings and opinions.
Keep kids on ICE
You probably already wrote your child's name on everything. Take it a step further. Give them a card with your "In Case of Emergency" contact details. The school has that information in the office, but your child should also have it.
In addition to the ICE contact, all students should have water, a snack, sanitiser and... at least $100 phone credit. Didn't expect that suggestion did you? Yes, in case of an emergency, the school will call you. Ensuring your child has access to phone credit is a power backup move.
If children have these items, they are not likely to accept snacks, drinks, toys or money from suspicious characters or even "friends".
Develop their instincts
We need to teach children to trust their instincts. Teach them to:
Never leave with a strange adult
Not all of your friends are theirs (and have the permission to pick them up from school)
Make a commotion if being forced to leave
Be skeptical of strangers calling their name (they can look, but never wave back)
Seek help from a trusted or uniformed adult if they feel uneasy about an interaction
Drive carefully on campus
In our school, pedestrian paths traverse driving paths. This reality is not ideal. Regardless, PEDESTRIANS ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. No exceptions.
Teach children to be mindful of cars, look both ways, avoid running in driveways or playing near vehicles and walk with their hand in the air (if they need to cross the drive path or road). Yeah, I know it seems obvious, but think about it before you dismiss the point. Haven't you seen children doing the exact opposite of what they should?
Think again. Haven't you seen drivers get distracted or seemingly 'parked' cars moving without warning? Most children on campus are shorter than the super-sized SUVs and pick-up trucks some of us drive. Please be careful.
Agree on pick-up locations
Once classes are through for the day, children should stay in a group that is being monitored by an adult such as a teacher, coach or supervisor. Is your child in the classroom, at aftercare, in an activity or playing on the field? Both you and your child should agree on where they should be when you arrive for pick-up.
That decision makes the processes smoother, and you'll know sooner if something is wrong.
Complacency is the enemy, but vigilance is the solution. Let's work as a village to protect our children.
