student-safety-training

JOY RIDE: Riding the Bus Without Worries

2007-06-11T10:27:00.000-04:00

According to the National Coalition for School Bus Safety (NCSBS), there were more than 20 student deaths and 9,000 injuries due to school buses last year. Most of these tragedies were not caused by collisions or crashes, but just by entering and exiting the bus. It is important that students who ride school buses remember these safety guidelines provided by NCSBS:

• Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.
• Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter.
• When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a safe distance between you and the bus. Also, remember that the bus driver can see you best when you are back away from the bus.
• Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.
• Stay away from the bus until the driver gives his/her signal that it's okay to approach.
• Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses, however, not all do. Protect yourself and watch out!

JOY RIDE: Riding the Bus Without Worries

2007-06-08T10:32:00.000-04:00

Managing asthma

2006-09-14T10:48:00.000-04:00

Asthma affects over five million school-aged children in the United States – about one out of every 11 students. This chronic lung disease often causes unnecessary restriction of activities and is a leading cause of school absenteeism. Asthma is controllable and with proper treatment and support children with asthma can develop healthy lifestyles and lead fully active school lives.

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program believes that schools should adopt policies for the management of asthma that ensure student safety, encourage the active participation of students in the self-management of their condition and allow for the most consistent, active participation in all school activities.

Policies should address the following essential activities:
· A smoke-free environment for all school activities.
· A written medication policy that allows safe, reliable and immediate access to medications. Policies are encouraged that allow students to carry and self-administer quick-relief medication whenever possible.
· A school-wide emergency plan for handling asthma episodes.
· Professional development for all school personnel on school medication policies and emergency procedures
· School health services should include:
· Identifying, assessing and monitoring of students with asthma
· Obtaining or constructing written asthma action plan for each student with asthma, updated at least annually
· Ensuring emergency care including a quick-relief inhaler and spacer/holding chamber
· Providing nurse supervision to document and report on the administration of medication to the parent/guardian and/or health care clinician

Back to school bus safety

2006-09-11T09:30:00.000-04:00

With students across the country returning to school, the American Red Cross recently issued an appeal for school bus safety. Twenty-four million students ride the bus to school each day and it’s much safer than other forms of transportation, but 11 school-age pedestrians are killed by school transportation vehicles each year, necessitating the following safety precautions that schools should share with their students:

Line up facing the bus, not along side it.
Do not play in the street while waiting for the bus.
Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack.
Never reach under the school bus to get anything that has rolled beneath it. The bus driver may be sitting too high up to see you.
After getting off the bus, move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic. If there is no sidewalk, try to stay as far to the side of the road as possible.
Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing the street. Walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you.
Never cross the street or play behind the school bus.

Violence prevention programs

2006-09-07T14:52:00.000-04:00

Children exhibiting or at risk for exhibiting aggressive behavior benefit from attending violence prevention classes at school, according to a new review of published studies, Reuters reported.

The most useful school-based violence prevention programs are those that teach children how to get along better with people -- teaching them skills such as listening, thinking about the feelings of others, working together, and learning how to be assertive without being aggressive. Interventions designed to improve relationship or social skills are more effective than those designed to teach skills of "non-response to provocative situations."
The studies found that the programs produce improvements in behavior in both older and younger children and in both boys-only and mixed-sex groups. The programs reduce aggressive behavior and lead to a drop in disciplinary action.

The programs are important because “early aggressive behavior is a risk factor for later violence and criminal behavior," the Cochrane Library reports.

Cafeteria safety

2006-09-05T09:20:00.000-04:00

Food-borne illnesses in schools made up just 3 percent of reported outbreaks nationwide in the 1990s, according to the latest analysis available from the U.S. General Accounting Office, the National School Boards Association reports. That translates to about 195 incidents in a decade, which is a small number, but if you’re an administrator in a district hit with an illness, the problem can be catastrophic.

Cafeteria employees must be trained to handle food properly to prevent contamination. The training starts with personal hygiene: employees must keep hands clean, wash them frequently and wear gloves to handle food. The gloves must be changed after handling waste. Employees should also keep their clothes clean and keep hair covered before entering the food area.

Employees should follow the Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures for handling food, equipment, utensils, gloves and clothing.

Only by following these important procedures can cafeteria workers keep the food they serve to children clean and healthy.

Football helmets not properly fitted

2006-09-01T12:49:00.000-04:00

As the high school football season begins, schools should pay attention to a recent article in The New York Times that said football helmets aren’t protecting students because they aren’t properly fitted.

Dr. Eugene Hong of Drexel College led a study that found the 10-step fitting process commonly used in professional and college football was often not followed in high schools, due to lack of training of coaches and equipment managers.

The two steps most commonly mishandled were making sure the mask was two inches away from the nose and keeping the chin straps an equal distance apart.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, 300,000 sports-and-recreation related concussions are diagnosed nationwide each year and Dr. Hong believes thousands of young football players will suffer from them this year if their helmets aren’t properly fitted.

Dr. Hong believes helmets shouldn’t just be fitted at the beginning of the season but periodically, because helmet fit changes due to collisions, wear and tear and the growth of the player.

Sports safety

2006-08-28T09:15:00.000-04:00

With the start of fall sports now in full swing and children returning to school, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) has issued timely guidelines to ensure sports safety.

NATA recommends the following tips for school staff and athletes:
Pre-participation exam – children participating in sports should receive a general health exam prior to activity.

Emergency plan – develop a written emergency plan in consultation with local emergency medical service.

Appropriate safety gear – make sure masks, gloves, pads and other gear fit properly and inspect gear regularly to assure it’s in good condition.

Preconditioning and training – coaches and trainers should ensure children are physically and mentally conditioned to participate in team sports.

Facility safety inspection – remove debris, water, rocks and other hazards from the field and consider weather conditions.

First aid – keep a kit on site for medical emergencies

For more information on youth sports and sports safety, please visit http://www.nata.org/youthsports/index.htm.

Students with dyslexia

2006-08-24T15:23:00.000-04:00

Children with dyslexia have a learning disability that makes it harder to read, write and spell. But with help from teachers and staff that is required by law they can overcome their problems and become productive students.

School staff should be aware of the common symptoms of dyslexia and test students who exhibit them, because testing is the only way diagnose it.

Schools should apply a team approach to teaching dyslexic students, involving parents, special education teachers, speech pathologists, psychologists and other caregivers.

Academic modifications may be necessary, such as giving dyslexic students additional time to complete a test or providing them with books on tape.

Dyslexic students can also benefit from having an organized classroom, so keep the noise levels and clutter down, have homework assignments and lesson plans written clearly on the board.

Be aware of the legal rights of your students. The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act requires schools to provide public education to students with disabilities, including dyslexia.

Preventing abuse of ADHD drugs

2006-08-21T09:51:00.000-04:00

Methylphenidate, a central nervous stimulant prescribed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is frequently abused, with students stealing supplies that are kept at schools or taking them from friends who have prescriptions.

The problem is frequently caused by school systems that don’t have a nurse dispensing the medication, keep supplies in unlocked desks and allow teen students to carry and administer their own medications.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Diversion Control Program offers the following precautions school systems can take to ensure the safe handling of ADHD medications:

* prohibit students from carrying ADHD medication to school
* make sure ADHD medication is delivered to schools in properly labeled containers that identify the name of the med, the proper dosage and frequency of administration
* one person (preferably a school nurse) should maintain primary control of med supply
* maintain a medication inventory log to track the meds received and dispensed
* drug supply should be secured in a locked room or cabinet
* unused meds should be destroyed by the school nurse

Industrial shop fire safety

2006-08-17T11:55:00.000-04:00

Many school fires occur in industrial shop areas, where flammable liquids and overloaded electrical outlets with frayed cords can ignite and cause burns or shocks. Schools should avoid overloading outlets and take the following safety measures, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety:

* secure compressed gas cylinders in an upright position; avoid dripping, rolling or knocking them together
* never weld in areas where combustible material is stored
* keep work area clean and check daily for fire hazards
* provide suitable waste cans for disposal of oil soaked and paint rags
* use safety cans for storing and dispensing small amounts of flammable liquids
* ensure good ventilation for painting operations and a regular routine for cleaning up overspray residues
* supply suitable and easily accessible fire extinguishers

School bus drivers being trained to spot terrorists

2006-08-14T10:14:00.000-04:00

School bus driver training has been expanded with School Bus Watch, a program funded by the Homeland Security Department that trains drivers to watch for terrorists.

The training program raises driver awareness about terrorism, shows them how terrorists operate and teaches them how to report unusual activity. They are given a unique ID number and a toll-free number to call to report suspicious activity.

Training is provided free.

The program, which is being run by the American Trucking Associations and three school bus trade associations, began with “train the trainer” sessions at selected regional locations. Once trainers become qualified to teach the School Bus Watch program, they can train school system drivers. The goal is to train the nation’s 600,000 school bus drivers.

“School bus drivers already play an important role in the safety and security of their communities,” said Dale Kraph, a National School Transportation Association representative. “School Bus Watch gives them some additional tools to help them keep their communities, their vehicles and our children safe.”

Summer playground safety tips

2006-08-11T09:51:00.000-04:00

The National Program for Playground Safety offers the following summer playground safety tips:

* Survey the play area for potential hazards – unwanted debris, broken glass, metal
* Check the equipment – children should not be allowed to play on broken equipment
* Check the children themselves – strings, bike helmets and jump ropes are strangulation hazards
* Make sure equipment isn’t too hot to play on – check the heat on the surfaces because hot metal and plastics can cause severe burns

Enjoy your summer, but don’t take a break from safety!

Protecting student athletes from bloodborne pathogens

2006-08-09T09:38:00.000-04:00

The threat of exposure to bloodborne pathogens at schools for students and staff is high, especially for student athletes who can be injured during games.

The Indiana State Department of Health advises schools to have a person designated at each athletic event to assist injured students. They should be equipped with disposable gloves to prevent exposure to blood when treating bleeding students.

It also offers these tips for handling student injuries:

* bleeding students should be covered with bandages or wraps to prevent leakage of blood
* the injured student should perform his own wound care when possible
* students should be instructed not to handle other people’s blood
* lacerations with substantial bleeding should be treated promptly
* injured students should be allowed to return to the activity only after the wound has been securely covered
* if clothing or equipment is wet with blood, it should be changed
* skin contaminated with blood should be washed with soap and water
* disposable toweling should be used to clean all environmental surfaces when blood is present
* after each activity, any equipment or uniform soiled with blood should be laundered

Cyberbullying

2006-08-03T09:33:00.000-04:00

TeensHealth Safe Surfing Tips for Teens lauds the Internet as a great source of information, but warns teens to “protect yourself while you surf.”

It offers the following advice on cyberbullying:

“It's not just strangers who can make you feel uncomfortable online. Cyberbullying is a word that refers to cruel or bullying messages sent to you online. These might be from former friends or other people you know. They can be irritating and, in some cases, even frightening.

If you get these bullying messages online, it's often better to ignore them rather than answer them. Cyberbullies, just like other bullies, may be angry or disturbed people - and may be looking for attention or a reaction.
Fortunately, most people never experience cyberbullying. But if you're getting cyberbullied and ignoring it doesn't make it go away, getting help from a parent, school counselor, or another trusted adult may be a good idea. That's especially true if the cyberbullying contains threats.”

School bus routing software tracks sex offenders

2006-07-31T13:20:00.000-04:00

In response to the desire of several states to ferret out sexual predators from school bus stop areas, a school bus software company has added a feature to its routing and scheduling program that allows users to determine where sex offenders are located and plan bus stops accordingly.

The software displays a map noting the locations of sex offenders relative to where the district’s bus stops are. If predators live near the stops, a notification is posted and schools can change the stops or take further action.

School systems must bring in a list of sexual predators and where they reside through an import file, which they can obtain from local authorities or Web sites such as www.familywatchdog.us.

The distance an offender may be to a school bus stop is established by local districts. Saratoga County, New York recently passed a law requiring offenders to be at least 1,000 feet from where students congregate.

Approximately 900 school districts use the company’s programs for mapping bus routes. The sex offender-tracking software will automatically be available to these districts.

Paint safety

2006-07-27T09:42:00.000-04:00

Art supplies are among the commonly used products in schools that can pose chemical hazards. School staff must be careful handling the products to avoid exposing children to danger.

Paint can become contaminated with mold or bacteria and often contain an organic binder that is subject to degradation if not stored properly or used within a reasonable amount of time.

Dick Blick Art Materials offers the following tips on storing paint products:

store paint in its original container in a cool, dry place
date and rotate inventory, always using the oldest stock first
thoroughly shake the product before using
remove only enough paint for immediate use. Don’t return unused portions to the original container
never dilute the product, because the addition of water dilutes the preservative’s strength as well as the paint
do not place brushes, hands or other objects in the container
make sure the cap is sealed tightly before storing after each use

All paints are subject to eventual spoilage, but proper storage and usage will reduce potential sources of contamination, extend the life of your paint and keep children safe.

HealthySEAT

2006-07-24T09:24:00.000-04:00

There are approximately 120,000 schools in the U.S. and many contain environmental hazards that may pose risks to children and staff. The EPA has developed a software tool to help school districts evaluate and manage their facilities for environmental, safety and health issues.

HealthySEAT can be used to conduct self-assessments of schools and on environmental conditions. The software will help schools check for environmental hazards, including chemical releases, pesticide exposures, flaking lead paint, mold, indoor air quality problems and damaged asbestos-containing building materials.

The software includes an inspection checklist and a guidebook on the hazards and includes features that allow staff to generate letters and track the status of facility conditions and corrective actions and prepare reports for district use.

HealthySEAT will help school districts collect the data necessary to make a compelling case for needed renovations and repairs and demonstrate to the community that your school is committed to the health and safety of children and staff.

Go to http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat for more information and to download the software.

Air pollution in schools

2006-07-20T10:33:00.000-04:00

Can the air in schools damage children’s lungs? The possibility exists, according to a recent New England Journal of Medicine report that found carbon particles similar to those in ambient air in the airways of children, and increased levels of carbon correlate with decreased lung function in children, whose lungs develop steadily during childhood. While overall air quality has improved in urban environments due to vehicle emission controls and cleaner burning fuels, children can be exposed to dangerous levels of air contamination in schools built near busy roadways and other sources of pollution.

The report concludes that research into the specific components of air pollution may enable policymakers to institute more specific control strategies. In the meantime, school officials should take steps to keep their children away from polluted air.

The Environmental Protection Agency has prepared an Indoor Air Quality Tool for Schools that allows school staff to improve air quality in schools at little or no cost, using practical applications, such as a fact sheet on pollution sources and forms to aid staff in responding to incidences and notifying students and parents. For more information on this tool kit, call (202) 512-1800.

Have you banned contact games from your playground?

2006-07-17T13:31:00.000-04:00

USA Today reports that schools across the country are banning traditional childhood games from playgrounds because they consider them dangerous.
Elementary schools in Cheyenne, WY and Spokane, WA have banned tag, while a Charleston, SC school banned soccer and touch football. Similar bans have been enacted at schools in Wichita, KS, San Jose, CA and Beaverton, OR.

“It’s happening more because educators worry about kids running into each other and getting hurt,” said Donna Thompson of the National Program for Playground Safety.

The Charleston ban was instituted because children suffered broken arms and dislocated fingers playing soccer and football. But not all of the bans have resulted from serious injuries, and critics think the restrictions are harmful. “You’re taking away the physical development of children,” said Joe Frost, emeritus professor of early childhood education at the University of Texas-Austin. “Having time for play is essential for children to keep their weight under control.”

How schools can handle terrorist threats

2006-07-13T09:38:00.000-04:00

Schools should develop heightened security procedures in the event of terrorist threats, ranging from the potential use of car/truck bombs to biological attacks.

Schoolsecurity.org says schools should take these measures:

* Train teachers and support staff and evaluate, refine and test school security plans
* Encourage staff to maintain a heightened awareness for suspicious activity and report it, including suspicious vehicles, persons and packages on school grounds
* Provide special attention to perimeter security, including clearly defined perimeters with fences and gates and designated parking areas for visitors. Monitor parking lots and establish routine inspections of buildings
* Review staffing and supervision plans, with adult supervision of all areas
* Maintain a proactive effort of visitor access and control
* Verify the identity of service personnel and vendors visiting the school
* Evaluate security measures at school transportation facilities
* Secure access to utilities, boiler rooms and other maintenance facilities
* Evaluate food and beverage service stock, storage and protection procedures
* Assess school health and medical preparedness
* Conduct a status check of emergency communications mechanisms, such as two way radio units and cell phones
* Review procedures for mobilizing mental health services for students and staff in the event of a crisis

Speech disorders

2006-07-11T15:24:00.000-04:00

Lisps, stuttering and other speech disorders make it difficult for students to communicate, but they can succeed in school with the proper help. Speech-language pathologists can determine the speech problem a child has and help her speak more clearly. School staff can handle student speech disorders by following these guidelines:

* learn about the student – encourage her to participate in the activities she likes.
* recognize the need for early evaluation of speech disorders – early detection and treatment is the key to helping the student learn to speak correctly.
* be supportive – build a relationship in which the child is comfortable sharing her feelings with you.
* encourage an inclusive attitude – encourage the student and the group to focus on the ways they are alike and tolerate the differences
* be sensitive to a student’s concerns about reading out loud – don’t call on the child unless she volunteers
* educate your students about speech disorders – children who are informed about speech disorders will be more tolerant of them and act responsibly.

Bullying bill leaves vulnerable students unprotected, critics say

2006-07-06T08:23:00.000-04:00

Human rights protesters argue a proposed school anti-bullying bill in Florida, HB535, is “vague,” leaving most vulnerable students, such as gays and minorities, unprotected, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

The bill, authored by Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff, fails to specifically ban bullying based on race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical ability or appearance. Stratton Pollitzer, director of Equality Florida South Florida, contends that if the bill becomes law, it will undo decades of work to protect vulnerable students by repealing all the strongest anti-harassment policies implemented by local schools districts, such as Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade. “It would seem seductively simple to say ‘all students,’ but it doesn't get the job done,” says Mr. Pollitzer. “There are certain forms of harassment that are considered acceptable.”

Rep. Bogdanoff says she would not use selective language to define who should be protected because she does not want to uphold the safety of one child over another. “I want to protect all children,” she says. She insists that opponents of the bill are misinformed and the only change to the bill’s language she might consider is to clarify that it does not preclude school districts from creating a separate discrimination policy.

FERPA case study

2006-06-30T15:46:00.000-04:00

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protects student records and confidential documents from exposure. Dr. Carolyn Stone of the University of North Florida presented a series of case studies of FERPA related cases that pose interesting questions about the law. Here’s a good one: Ms. Sheffield disappeared with her son Richard to escape an abusive husband. Ms. Sheffield enrolled Richard in your school without a word about their problems. You published the honor roll of your fifth graders in the newspaper and Richard’s name was among them. A relative of Mr. Sheffield saw Richard’s name in the paper and contacted Mr. Sheffield. Ms. Sheffield is furious as she feels she must uproot her family and seek a new town in order to hide. She maintains that the school acted improperly by publishing her child’s name without her permission. Did the school act legally when they published Richard’s name in the newspaper?

For more information, please visit http://www.gnsca.org/Stone/cases.doc.

Follow the regulations to administer medications

2006-06-26T10:14:00.000-04:00

On a typical school day, 5.6 percent of children receive medication in school in accordance with a variety of state and local regulations. Sixty-four percent of states and 94 percent of school districts have requirements regarding school administration of medication.

Many state and local policies permit delegation of medication administration to trained but unlicensed assistive personnel, from teachers to secretaries. But certain duties cannot be delegated, such as secured storage of controlled substances.

Self-administration policies vary state to state and within school districts. Many require student assessment for age and maturity; others require authorization from prescribers and parents; almost all include signed releases of liability.

It is essential to follow the policy in your state and locality to administer the proper medication for children and avoid liability for mismanagement.

To see the state rules for medication administration in schools, go to http://www.healthinschools.org/sh/mgmtpolicies.asp#AL.