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About The Safe Schools Initiative

Workgroup Members

Fact Sheets

Schedule of Activities

Safe School Week

• November 2007 Pledges
• Suggested Activities
• Sample Proclamation
• Sample Press Release
• Elementary Safety Pledge
• Middle and High School Safety Pledge
• Parents Safety Pledge
• Sample Letter to Parents
• Teachers, Administrators and Staff Safety Pledge
• Pledge Registration Form
• FAQ

School Safety Resources

Suggested Activities

Michigan’s Safe Schools provides a unique opportunity for students, schools and communities to focus on educational issues that directly affect the quality of Michigan’s educational experience. Perhaps the most important strategy is to place school safety on the educational agenda. This agenda should address the quality of school climate (the overall psychological and physical atmosphere); involve students,parents and community in keeping schools safe; conduct regular school safety surveys; develop a school crisis plan in partnership with police, fire and emergency management; and practice the school crisis plan via drills, table top exercise, or a full blown exercise.

The Safe Schools initiative workgroup has compiled this packet of information to assist you in planning activities for Safe Schools week, November 4-10, 2007. The below activities are only suggestions to get you started. Additional information and resources are available on the Safe Schools web site www.safeschools.msu.edu.

• At 11:00 Monday morning, join with others around Michigan and make the Safe Schools Pledge.
• Encourage/invite parents, school board members, and other community members to meet at the flagpole (or other designated area) at 11:00 a.m. and also make the Safe Schools Pledge.
• Invite the news media to provide coverage of the Safe Schools Pledge ceremony.
• Create a “Wall Against Violence” where your school safety pledges are placed as they are signed. Leave the display up as long as possible.


Tuesday, November 6, 2007: Practice, Practice, Practice
• Sponsor a “First Aid” event where students and teachers learn first aid techniques and participate in simulation activities that would prepare students to help others in situations of need.
• Organize a youth discussion group and discuss ways that students can stay safe.
• Designate a Family Safety Night in your home and talk about what to do in an emergency and ways to keep each member safe.
• Introduce the concept of Family Preparedness. Each participating student, working with other classmates, would create a “Go Kit”. The students would take the completed assignment home to discuss with a parent or guardian. For more information on a Family Preparedness, go to: http://www.michigan.gov/michiganprepares/
• Coordinate a lock-down/shelter-in-place drill in the school building with the emergency response team.


Wednesday, November 7, 2007: Develop/Support Student Leadership
• Invite student leaders from all student groups to attend a breakfast/lunch forum to celebrate the differences within the school and recognize positive leaders. Recognize some of the quiet leaders that are consistently positive, friendly and helpful to their peers.
• Celebrate everyday heroes ... Have students nominate other students or staff that have been helpful above and beyond good citizenship. Announce the nominees and have recognition for them -- perhaps a free drink at lunch or other donated prizes from local businesses. Random Acts of Kindness may also be a criterion for recognition.
• Establish a peer counseling -- student mentoring program in the school to promote the health, well-being and safety of young people through peer education and referral.
• Every child needs a dependable, consistent, and positive relationship with at least one adult in order to achieve his or her fullest potential in emotional health, academic achievement, and interpersonal relationships. Administrators, teachers and support staff should take the opportunity to ensure that every child in a school building has one positive adult relationship in the school setting.


Thursday, November 8, 2007: Emphasize a Safe Physical Environment
• Conduct a safety-theme poster contest. Display and let students or school staff judge.
• local rescue workers to make presentations to students on personal safety, fire safety, or transportation safety.
• review the school’s crisis response Plan for your building to ensure it is still current.
• Make sure the entire staff is familiar with the plan.
• Make sure everyone in the school building is familiar with the location of fire alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency exits, protective barrier kits, first aid kits, automated external defibrillator and telephones (how to dial out of the building).


Friday, November 9, 2007: Emphasize the Importance of Continuing Efforts
• Organize a “Fair Day” where exhibits and topics related to school safety can be discussed and highlighted.
• Invite parents and news media to your school to showcase the positive things the school and students are doing to prevent violence.
• Integrate a discussion on school safety, including after school/sports events, into the day’s curriculum.
• Invite a member from the community as a guest speaker to talk about safe school issues and violence prevention. You may also consider extending an invitation to a public health official to speak on bioterrorism preparedness or infectious disease control (pandemic flu).
• Work closely with the schools local safe and drug-free school advisory committee and review/update the district’s Violence-Free School Prevention Plan.
• Plan a community beautification campaign for the school and neighborhood using students as a work crew. Graffiti and vandalized areas should be priorities. With professional guidance, students can help maintain campuses, parks and other community areas. Beautification projects enhance the appearance of the community and develop a strong sense of pride among participants.