If you’re not happy with the health and security that your children’s school provides you, you and other parents can draw up a list of suggestions that the school can take on board. Keeping schools safe is imperative but also incredibly hard. Whether you’re looking at vape detectors, security controls, or mental health you need to work with the school to make plans and measures stick. Each school will have different problems to overcome so it’s likely that you’ll need to come up with a bespoke plan, with that said here are some examples of common problems, how they interlink, and how you can make a difference.
Vape Detectors For Schools: Stop School Vaping
Vaping has become so much more popular with younger students. While smoking in general has declined, vaping has increased. It’s seen as a safer alternative to smoking and the flavors make it more accessible. However, it’s incredibly dangerous long term and especially for young, developing lungs. If there’s a vape problem you could suggest the use of vape detectors for schools that could alert staff and also act as a deterrent. For the vape detector to work parents also have to police vaping at home.
Vaping is bad for health but vape pens themself can be nasty too with tales of them exploding and damaging users. It’s also incredibly addictive which is damaging for both study and long term health. If there’s a student vaping problem one of your first steps as a parent is presenting ideas to the school around preventative and reactionary measures.
Focus On Mental Health
Aside from vape detectors for schools, mental health has to be on the agenda. Students these days are under a lot of pressure. They spend all their time looking at social media which isn’t always good for their mental health. Not to mention the pressure of trying to succeed in school and at any extra activities.
If you think this is a problem you just need to present a mental health strategy to the school. They probably have people there who can help but bringing it to their attention can help them better set direction. Awareness is the key term. Same with vaping. If kids don’t know vaping is bad, they’ll keep doing it. With mental health, if they can’t recognise it or realize something isn’t right it’ll just get worse too. Work with the school and have those one to one conversations with your children to help focus on mental health issues at their place of education.
Cut Illegal Substances
Illegal substances have always managed to find their way into schools through some way, shape or form. It’s vital these get cut instantly. Unlike vape and a vape detector, there’s nothing that can really sense certain drugs. Preventing drug use in schools requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that involves everyone in the school community, including school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and law enforcement. Here are a few steps that can be taken to stop drug use in schools:
- Education and awareness: Educate students about the dangers and consequences of drug use and abuse through classroom lessons, assemblies, and other school-wide programs.
- Parent involvement: Encourage parents to talk to their children about drugs and to monitor their behavior, friends, and social media activity. We’ve spoken here about making suggestions to the school but in this case, you need to be one of the first lines of defense.
- Drug testing: Implement random drug testing for students who participate in extracurricular activities or who are suspected of using drugs.
- Zero-tolerance policy: Establish a clear and strict zero-tolerance policy for drug use and abuse, and enforce it consistently and fairly.
- Access to resources: Provide students with access to counseling, support groups, and treatment resources for those who may be struggling with drug addiction.
- Building community: Create a positive and supportive school culture that encourages students to make healthy choices and to resist peer pressure to use drugs.
- Monitoring and enforcement: Work with law enforcement to monitor and address drug activity in and around the school, and to provide students with a safe and drug-free environment.
Remember, preventing drug use in schools is a complex and ongoing process that requires a sustained commitment from everyone in the school community.
Emphasize cultural sensitivity and inclusivity
Promote cultural sensitivity and inclusivity by creating a curriculum that celebrates diversity, teaching students to respect and appreciate differences, and addressing any biases or discriminatory behavior that may occur. You might feel like the school isn’t doing a good enough job on this front and might need to approach them with thoughts and concerns, a good school will always listen.
Improve access to technology
Ensure that all students have access to technology and internet connectivity, both in the classroom and at home, to help close the digital divide and support learning in the 21st century. This is a super easy one to hit but it does depend on what kind of funding level the school actually get. If they don’t get much you might have to step in to keep your child well versed.