April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and we all have a part to play in keeping kids safe in any and all environments! Here at St. John Amelith School, child safety is a non-negotiable, and both teachers and administrators are trained to detect, identify, and address any potential risks to the safety of the students in our care.

Building a safe school environment starts with the facility itself. With thorough visitor policies, secure points of entry, and robust emergency response plans, students who enter our school doors are protected through any potential hazard or storm. Additionally, playgrounds and gym activities are frequently monitored, and staff can quickly address any injuries, large or small.

However, child safety goes far beyond physical safety. Due to their age, children are especially vulnerable and benefit from early education on basic safety skills and personal autonomy. When families, caregivers, and educators collaborate on not only keeping kids safe, but teaching them tools to protect themselves, our youth thrive. Here are a few basic safety skills to teach (and practice!) with your child at home:

• Not sharing personal information (name, age, school, etc.) with strangers
• Practicing digital safety online and protecting personal images and information
• Speaking up when something feels wrong or uneasy with another person, especially if they are an adult
• Identifying trusted adults that children can speak to if they feel unsafe
• Age-appropriate body safety rules such as identifying “bathing suit” areas
• Discussing the difference between “safe” and “unsafe” secrets, and what needs to be shared with an adult

As children grow older, prevention is an important tool for keeping them safe in all stages of life. By practicing age-appropriate safety strategies, discussing how to respond to unexpected or unsafe situations, and creating an open environment for voicing when something feels off, children are encouraged to build confidence in their ability to protect their wellbeing and stand up for themselves.

St. John Amelith School is deeply committing to protecting our learners and cultivating an environment where every student thrives. We invite our school community, parents, staff, and students to use April as an opportunity to raise awareness for child safety and model assertive boundary-setting to keep our youth safe now and in the future.