Tell them to never open the door to a stranger. Caution them about answering the phone and accidentally letting a stranger know they are alone. Make sure they know how to work the door and window locks and that they use them when they are inside alone. Where as these are merely guidelines, the important thing to remember is to keep an open and honest exchange of information between yourself and your children. When crime, drugs, and violence spill over from the streets into the schools, providing a safe learning environment becomes increasingly difficult.
More students carry weapons for protection.
Gunfights replace fistfights. Many students must travel through drug dealer or gang turf. Violence becomes an acceptable way to settle conflicts. When this happens, children cannot learn and teachers cannot teach. Creating a safe place where children can learn and grow depends on a partnership among students, parents, teachers, as well as other community institutions.