Navigating Risks Throughout the School Day

Pop Quiz: When do most schools schedule fire drills? Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Why? It’s one of the most predictable times of the day—after breakfast, before lunch, with students settled in their classrooms. We get it! Schools want to keep drills straightforward (especially those towards the beginning of the year), but this pattern highlights a common oversight: most schools focus their safety planning on what happens during class hours. What about the rest of the day? Drop-off, lunch, dismissal, and after-school activities each present unique risks that require thoughtful preparation. By recognizing and addressing these vulnerabilities, schools can foster a safer, more dynamic and joyful environment for students, staff, and families. Let’s dive into some common safety challenges and practical strategies to mitigate them.

Before School

Early arrivals for breakfast programs or morning activities require additional oversight. This is also true for students who arrive early due to parent/caregiver work schedules or to walk with siblings.

Common risks include:

• Unsupervised areas: Students congregating in less-monitored locations.
• Fatigue-related issues: Students may be less alert, leading to increased accidents.
• Weather concerns: Students may not have access to sheltered areas during inclement weather.

Strategies for safety:

• Designate supervised, sheltered areas for early arrivals.
• Ensure all entry points are either monitored by staff or secured.
• Provide clear guidance for parents and guardians regarding permissible early arrival times and expectations.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL 

Arrival and dismissal are among the busiest times of the school day, with large groups of students, staff, and parents moving through concentrated areas. 

Common risks include:

• Traffic congestion: Increased risk of vehicle-pedestrian crossover.
• Unauthorized access: Strangers or non-custodial parents attempting to enter campus.
• Miscommunication: Students getting on the wrong bus or being picked up by the wrong person.

Strategies for safety:

• Implement crossing guards and traffic flow monitors.
• Use a secure, verified pick-up system for students.
• Ensure clear communication with parents and caregivers about procedures.
• Maintain adequate supervision and staff presence.
  

LuncH

The lunch period often involves movement between classrooms and the cafeteria, as well as large gatherings of students. 

Common risks include:

• Choking or allergic reactions: Food-related medical emergencies.
• Conflict: Increased potential for bullying or physical altercations.
• Supervisory gaps: Not enough staff present to monitor behavior.

Strategies for safety:

• Train staff in first aid and allergen response and add first aid posters to dining areas.
• Develop a seating and supervision plan to maximize visibility. Bathroom and hallway monitors can be especially helpful during this time of day. 
• Encourage a culture of kindness and inclusion during unstructured times.

Recess

Outdoor play is vital for student well-being, but it also presents unique risks due to the added physicality of the activities. 

Common risks include:

• Injuries: Falls, scrapes, or accidents on playground equipment.

• Unsupervised areas: Students wandering outside of designated boundaries.

• Weather hazards: Extreme heat, cold, or sudden storms.

Strategies for safety:

• Inspect playground equipment regularly for safety compliance.

• Set clear boundaries and ensure adequate adult supervision.

• Establish weather-related safety protocols. 

AFTER SCHOOL

After school programs, sports, and extracurricular activities can be a challenge to monitor, particularly as students leave at different times.

Common risks include:

• Decreased visibility: Fewer staff members present as students linger on campus.

• Injuries during sports: Accidents or medical emergencies.

• Unauthorized Access: Relaxed security measures as the school day winds down.

Strategies for safety:

• Limit access to certain areas of the campus after hours.

• Require sign-in and sign-out for after school programs.

• Ensure after school program staff are trained in first aid and emergency response.

SCHOOL EVENTS

School events, such as assemblies, parent-teacher nights, and performances bring visitors onto campus.

Common risks include:

• Crowd management: Overcrowding in shared spaces.

• Unfamiliarity: Visitors may not know emergency procedures.

• Security gaps: Greater potential for unauthorized activities or banned items.

Strategies for safety:

• Use visitor management systems to track who is on campus.

• Clearly communicate emergency procedures to visitors at the start of events.

• Assign staff to monitor entrances and exits during events.

• For large events such as concerts or sports games, consider outsourcing security and crowd control to a specialized firm.

Every moment of the school day comes with its own unique safety challenges—but with the right strategies in place, those challenges can become opportunities to strengthen your school community. By proactively identifying risks and addressing them with thoughtful solutions, schools can create an environment where safety supports learning and growth. Together, we can build a safer, more secure future for everyone in your school community.