When my wife and I send our kids off to school, we pray for their safety and well being.  What I am going to share with you is simply the experience that I have learned through my 18 years in education and especially my 13 years as a principal.

Check out the TIPPS to keeping your students safe:

• Always keep your door locked – Many classroom doors only lock if they are locked with a key from the hallway.  If you have a classroom door that locks from the inside of the room, you are fortunate.  If your door locks from the hallway, to maintain your safety and to keep a secure classroom, keep the door locked all the time.  This ensures that you won’t need to step into the hallway while an intruder is walking down the hallway.  The first thing a teacher will ask is, “How do my students get back into the classroom after going to the lavatory?”  You can keep your door locked but slightly ajar by placing a magnet in the door frame (so the magnet rests on the frame and the door closes on the magnet).  If your magnet is thick enough, the door handle will stay locked, the door will not latch when closed, and students can enter a locked door.  If there is an intruder in the building, simply pull out the magnet and close the door (This prevents you from going into the hallway in the line of fire from an intruder).  A cheaper, but less durable option, is to wrap a rubber band around the metal latch plate from the front of the plate to the back.
  This stops the door from latching and keeps the door locked but still open to access.  Pull out the rubber band, and the door is closed and secure.
• Make Your Room Look Empty – The goal is for the intruder to look into your room, on a quick walk down the hall, and think that your room is empty.  You can do this by gathering students in a wall/corner farthest away from the door.  It can help to turn off your lights and or cover your door window.  However, door windows should always have clear visibility into the hallways during regularly scheduled school time, this protects you and the students from any allegations.
• Practice Your Drills – Whether your school chooses to do this or not, regularly practice drills with your students so they know what to do if an intruder is in the building.
• Pay Attention to Students – Watch students as they enter your class, look for warning signs such as clothing that appears to be bulky or being weighed down by something, a student appearing nervous or shifty, or students chatting about something.  Also, if a student has a gun, they will often keep feeling that area such as a pocket, jacket, hemline, etc. to see if the gun is still in place.  Watch for this behavior and report if you suspect anything suspicious.
• Keep Your Safety Plan in the Same Spot That’s Easy to See/Find – Your school safety plan is critical in times of emergencies, it’s important that you know the plan and can execute the plan.
• Report Anything Suspicious - What I love about teachers is that they live a life of routine.  That means you will often recognize something that seems out of place.  If you see someone sitting in their car for a long time, a suspicious person outside the school, or a car that drives around the school regularly, report this to your school administration and/or police.
• Trust Your Instincts – Too often people talk themselves out of reporting something they think may be suspicious because they are nervous about being wrong or appearing foolish.
• Build Relationships - By building strong and positive relationships with students, they may trust you in sharing warning signs that they may hear in the hallways, online, through texts, or by a friend.

As you are teaching how to write the alphabet or helping students learn division, remember that school safety is more important than any subject we teach.  Know your school’s protocols, study your school crisis manual, trust your instincts, and report anything that appears suspicious.  But most of all, build relationships with students that are based on trust, integrity, and genuine care.

Go to this blog’s websit http://www.billziegler.org/?p=860e and leave a comment on your tip to school safety.

The tips on how to talk to your kids below are not from a professional standpoint but advice that I used as a dad when talking to my two children.

What To SAY/DO

Be the First To Tell Them - It’s important that children hear tragedies like this from their parents.

Pray Regularly – Take your child’s hand and pray with them for the students, teachers, and families of Sandy Hook Elementary.  I’d recommend not to pray about this with them before bedtime, use that as a time to reassure them in prayer.

Be Honest - Tell them what happened in an age appropriate manner.  My kids are in the middle school years, so we talked about what happened and we pray for the community of Newtown.

Reassure Them- Let them know that you are there for them and that they can ask you anything or talk about anything.  Regularly tell your kids that you love them, hug them, and encourage them.

Give them Time – Kids don’t process events like adults.  Perhaps they could express their thoughts through a drawing, painting a picture, or writing in a journal.

Let Them Express their Feelings - Kids often vary how they react to tragedy.  Allow them to express their emotions and don’t judge or try to change how they react.

Keep Routine – Kids feed off of routine, it’s important to maintain their regular schedule and activities.

Restrict Media Coverage – The media is not designed for kids and uses/shows inappropriate images/language for kids.

Provide Hope – In time, it’s important that kids begin to look to the future.   Help kids hope for upcoming events.  Talk about the days ahead, an upcoming vacation, or a holiday.

What Not to Say/DO:

This is  God’s Plan – It is not God’s intent that we are victims of violence. Christians often like to say that this is part of God’s master plan.  Kids don’t get that.  It doesn’t soften the pain that the victims and families feel; instead, it can encourage them to doubt God’s goodness.

God Allowed this to Happen for a Reason – So often, Christians will say that God allowed this to happen for a reason.  Yes, God could have intervened and stopped the shooter, but I believe that it is clear that God wants his people to grow and live life abundantly.

God needed another angel – Christians often use this phrase to soothe the hurt but it only adds to image that God is selfish or doesn’t have our best interest in mind.

God Has a Plan Through ThisTragedy- Yes, God’s plan will work through people because of this tragedy, but kids don’t have the reasoning skills to process this type of thinking.  Their frontal lobe is not fully developed and their brains are not as mature as ours.

Gory Details - Leave out the gory details and stick to generalities.  The gory details can be etched in a child’s mind for a long time and it may turn into dreams, unknown anger, frustration, fear, and anxiety.

24 Hour Coverage -Constant news coverage of the tragedy will raise a child’s anxiety.  Plus, news is not designed to communicate in child friendly language.

Tragedies like Newtown pierce the heart of everyone but kids can be especially taken back by something that hits so close to home to them.

As a father of two, my wife and I prayed about how to handle this with our kids.  We decided to sit down and talk to them about the horrific school shooting.  We shared details that were age appropriate and we reassured our kids that we will always be there for them.  We now pray for the families and students in Newtown.

I encourage you to use the guide below provided by The National Crisis Management Institute to assist you and teachers in how to work with students regarding the Sandy Hook tragedy.

(Guidelines below provided by The National Crisis Management Institute)

The National Crisis Management Institute has provided the following additional guidelines to assist you in assisting your students with the Sandy Hook tragedy:

General Guidelines for Responding to Students

Always tell the truth   How much you say and how much detail you give is open to judgment, but don’t tell lies. Better to say, “I’m not sure what to say to that…” or “Let me think on that a little,” than to be dishonest.
Respect the integrity of the question and the integrity of the student.
Choose developmentally appropriate language and detail (less detail the younger the student).

Answer what was asked, being careful not to read your own fears into their question.

Keep gory details and drama out of your conversations.

End conversations on a note of hope.

Your Demeanor Counts

Students have great radar for perceiving our fears, and they’re depending on us to make the world safe for them. Be as calm as you can be. Sound as self-assured as possible. Don’t let your own fears heighten theirs, although this doesn’t mean you should be dishonest with them. If they ask, you can admit that you, too, have fears sometimes, but then continue to talk about how you have learned to cope or learned to trust, or talk about how many helpers there are in our world. It’s fine if tears come to your eyes; you’re modeling that we all grieve and have sadness. It is just important for students to be able to perceive that you are still able to be in control. That they can count on you. In whatever ways you can, reassure them that you are very “there for them” and keep reinforcing that the way we get through these things is “together.”

Help Them Feel Safe

If students voice fear or anxiety, this is the time to address it, resisting our own answers and seeking theirs.
What could help you feel safer right now?

What will help you feel safer coming to school?

What could we do right now that would make a difference for you?

Recognize that when we help them devise their own solutions, those solutions are more apt to work for them. When we try to give our solutions, we may be way off base. We may think that having more police presence at school will be reassuring when, what they want is for more parents to be in the classrooms for awhile. Ask them!
Then if you have additional ideas that might help them feel safe, you might float them gently, but if we’re off base, we may give them new concerns. (“Gee… do YOU think we need police at school?”)  If students ask whether this could happen at their school, it is helpful to be able to have a visual means of giving them a sense of the extremely low probability that is. Using a gallon jar and pouring it full of sand of one color, and then just having one grain of another color to represent how seldom this happens. The actual statistics are that approximately 11 youth die in school violence in an average year. We lose 11 kids a DAY in the US to gun violence. We need to remember that they’re still much safer in school than out of school.

Help Them Make Meaning

This might be the most important question we will ask. Who we become as adults is so heavily influenced by the meaning we give life events. As a culture, we’re not apt to ask that question, yet it is the cornerstone of how students make sense of life events, and it determines how they place themselves within the world. It is important to remember that the meaning we give an event is transitory and changes over time, so don’t be overly concerned, but certainly address any concerns.

Help Them Look Forward

It is helpful for youth to keep in mind things they are happy to anticipate in the future. That can be, “What do you look forward to this next week?” or over a much longer time frame.
In the Days Ahead

Watch for signs of change indicating that students may be struggling and refer students to our guidance staff if necessary:

Appear over-tired, fatigued
Withdrawn, sullen, sad or out of character
Loss of interest in usual school activities or usual friends
Any new behaviors such as cutting or other self-abusive actions
Language that indicates hopelessness
Remember, it is OK for them to see some emotion.  The younger they are, the more likely their reactions will be delayed.  Try to keep routine and structure.  Let students know if there are going to be changes in their schedules.  They can only do as well as you do, so take the best care of yourself you can… exercise, good nutrition, lots of rest.

This is a time when students can more deeply appreciate your statements that every one of them matters. The teachable moment in this can be as broad and deep as you’re willing to make it. These are often times when students are willing to talk from a deeper place. It would be wonderful for teachers to admit to students that they wish they had more time to just listen.

Keep holding onto the recognition that children are more resilient than we often think, but they’re also vulnerable and need us for support. Have the courage to know that you don’t have to do any of this perfectly. What your students most need is for you to BE there for them. They can sense your earnest caring of them. Listen more. Be close. They’re all our children…. Keep letting them know that.

• Smile – You know how people tell you not to smile until Thanksgiving, they are dead wrong!  Students need to see you as a personable teacher that cares about them as a student.  A friendly greeting at the door, providing hope and encouragement, and showing those pearly whites in a upbeat smile can make a child’s day.
• Empower - The best teachers empower students rather than hindering them.  Provide opportunities for growth, build leadership, and create a sense of community.  Assign roles in the classroom to help students feel valued and important to the success of the class.   Help students learn that good behavior + good grades = freedom.
• Respect -Establish an environment of respect.  Don’t tolerate any type of bullying, name calling, or put downs.  Model and expect respect out of students.
• Cheer- Take an interest in your students lives.  Attend sporting events, concerts, and other events as a cheerleader.  Many times, parents don’t or can’t attend these events and students need to have an adult that will cheer them on.
• Hope - Be a beacon of hope in the classroom.  Even when failure approaches, be sure to look on the bright side and work tirelessly to ingrain hope in your students.  Focus on their successes and help them to discover their talents.
  
• Connect -Provide practical connections on how your content is used in the world-workplace.  Students need to see that learning has more relevancy than just doing homework and studying for tests.
  
• Celebrate - Take time to celebrate successes even if they are small.
  
• Care - Teachers who care show it by going above and beyond to help students find success.  This includes staying after school for tutoring, making contacts home, and coming in early to get plan for a packed day of learning.
  
• Pray - Trust me, prayer was not taken out of the schools in 1962, forced school prayer was removed.  Teachers can silently pray for students.  When I was a teacher, I got to my classroom early to sit in the desks of students as I prayed for them.
  

Leave a comment and share what you think are TIPPS to make this best teaching year ever. Check out this powerful poem by Clark Mollenhoff.

Poem – Molder of Dreams

Teachers …

You are the molders of their dreams,
the gods who build or crush
their young beliefs of right or wrong.

You are the spark that sets aflame the
poet’s hand, or lights the flame
of some great singer’s song.

You are the gods of the young, the very young.
You are the guardian of a million dreams.
Your every smile or frown can heal or pierce a heart.

Yours are a hundred lives, a thousand lives,
yours the pride of loving them, and the sorrow, too.

Your patient work, your touch, make you the gods of hope
who fill their souls with dreams
to make those dreams come true.

• Routine – Students in grades K-12 need structure and routine.  Routine builds security and a sense of normalcy.  Parents can set routines by having guidelines for bed time, protecting the breakfast and dinner time, and in setting time aside day for homework and studying.  Of course, routine must be flexible (wow, that’s an oxymoron Yes, even though routines are positive, it’s important to allow for times to adjust the routine for family events, school events, or a special night at church.
• Speak UP!  – The start of a school year is one of the craziest times of the year but it’s mission critical that parents communicate with their children.  Use precious times like the car ride to school, dinner table discussions, and bed time chats to stay connected with your kids.  My wife and I set aside time each day to connect and talk with our kids.  This talk time includes a regular hug, a walk, time throwing ball, or sitting on the couch getting caught up on the day.  Don’t settle for the one word answers by asking probing questions which require a more thorough response.  For example, rather than asking “How was your school day?” ask, “What was your favorite part of the school day and tell me why?”
• Faith Friends – Next to parental involvement, a child’s peer group is instrumental in their success in school.  Remind your child the importance of selecting friends who model your family values and faith.  By doing this, your child will be surrounded with friends who are striving for good grades, attending school, treating people kindly, and striving to be a good person.  I like to see how peer pressure can be used for the good.  Good friends brings about positive peer pressure to do the right thing and stand up for truth and honor.  Everyday in my middle school, I see students who are excelling and becoming model students and they surround themselves with students who have the same mindset.
• Get Involved  – No matter if your child is the middle schooler begging you to stay away from their school.  Parent involvement is the number one contributing factor to a child’s success in school.  Stay involved in your child’s school life.  Participate in PTO’s, chaperone dances, serve as a homeroom parent, volunteer in the school, and look for ways to stay involved in your child’s life.  Be your child’s biggest fan, try not to miss a school event they are participating in.  I still remember how my mom and dad came to every event that I was in at school.  This meant the world to me.  Whether your child is a first grader or an eleventh grade soon to be grad, stay involved and cheer your child onto school at school.
• Pray!!! - Each time your child goes to school, they will be faced with challenges that will test their faith, family values, and integrity.  My wife prays over our children each day before they leave for the bus.  This is awesome but my wife and I both understand that we need to be praying throughout the day for our children.  We pray that they keep the faith and that they respect others and honor God.  Pray for your child’s teachers, principals, and school officials.  My wife started a Moms In Prayer group in our home.  Each mom takes time praying for their children and then they corporately lift up the school in prayer.

Comment if you have a TIPP on how to start off a successful school year.

We at Christian Educators Association International are committed to providing teachers with the resources to flourish in the classroom.  In addition to this magazine, CEAI provides professional liability insurance, job action protection, and legal updates on laws pertaining to teachers and education.

Check out an online version of the magazine by clicking on Teachers of Vision Magazine  You can pass this link off to an educator and help them get equipped for the classroom.

Visit the Christian Educators Association International Website for more PDF versions of the magazine and to learn more about the resources provided teachers.

You can join Christian Educators and receive a subscription to TOV magazine, professional liability insurance, job action protection, constant encouragement, and the ability to connect with a network of Christian Educators in your region.

Check out these apps for your smartphone on stargazing

• STAR WALK – This incredible app allows you to point your smartphone to the sky and it tells you what you are looking at.  This inexpensive app will help you identify constellations, planets, and stars.  This is a must have for the avid star gazer.  It’s a great tool to help your kids get excited about the galaxy.
• SKY MAP – Sky map turns the night sky into a window to the galaxy.  Much like Star Walk, it helps to identify what you are looking at.
• NASA APP – Straight from NASA, this app is an in depth look at the galaxy.  It provides maps of the solar system and identifies almost anything in the sky.  The thing that will make you space out about this app is that it is free:)
•  Hubble Top 10 – This app is literally out of this world.  You will get to see the top images taken by the Hubble telescope.  Don’t miss out on this app for pictures that are up close, powerful, and amazing.  And hey put your space suit on because this app is also free.

I’d love to hear about apps or websites you use to view the stars.  Comment and let us know how you see the stars.

Even though I despised math as a student, I have come to appreciate math that math is critical to success in college and life.  I have used math in so many situations and now I understand the importance of learning math.

My kids have found how to use technology to build their math skills.

Check out these math TIPPS to help your child find success with math.

• KHAN ACADEMY – If you haven’t done so already, you need to check out Khan Academy.  This website was designed by a dad to teach his daughter math.  Now, the site is packed full of videos on a variety of topics.  It’s a great way to learn fractions, stats, or simple addition.  Go to Khan Academy
• FREE RICE – Our kids love this site because they can learn math and give rice to other children who need food.  Free Rice gives away 10 grains of rice for every correct answer.  This is much more than math, students can learn vocab, languages, and the sciences.
• MATH.COM – This website is packed with math problems, games, and tutoring for all levels.
• WOLFRAMALPHA – This website is amazing.  Ask it any question and it answers in computation format.  This makes math come alive with graphs, charts, and the answers to your deepest questions about life.
• THE MATH FORUM – A Philadelphia University has stepped up to the plate to provide a power packed website on learning math.  Drexel University equips K-12 students with the tools to be successful with math.
• FIGURE THIS – Created by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, this site provides tips for helping your child with math homework, getting tutoring, and guiding your child toward success in math.

Please comment and share your favorite website to learn math.  Hopefully we can all have a piece of the Pi this summer:)

SWIMMING

• Take swimming lessons – Many YMCA’s – Visit http://www.ymca.net/ to find a Y near you.  Many local pools also provide swimming lessons
• Be sure to always swim in a designated area that is protected by lifeguards
• Never swim alone – buddy swimming is when you swim with a friend and you keep them updated on your location and what you are doing
• If you are not a strong swimmer, wear a life jacket or life preserver
• Wear sunscreen.  A day at the pool can end with a night at the hospital if you don’t wear sunscreen.  An SPF of 50 is preferred
• Never dive in water shallower than 8 feet

BEACH

• Always swim near a lifeguard station
• Only swim in clearly marked areas under the supervision of a lifeguard
• Ask the lifeguard if there are anythings to watch out for such as rip tides, rocks, jelly fish, or stingray
• Avoid swimming during rip tide times
• Swim with a buddy or in groups
• Maintain close supervision of your children while they are in the water.  A small or light weight child can easily be swept into the deep while standing in only calf high water.  Rip tides are strong and powerful, they can easily sweep a child into the deep.
• Rip tides or currents – teach your child to swim parallel with the beach to escape a rip current.
• Wear sunscreen – An SPF of 50 is recommended.

I hope that you have a great time at the pool and beach but be sure to be safe and have fun.