The headlines include parents dressing down to bypass security and watch their kid attack another student, parents attacking a classroom teacher, and parents going after other students having conflicts with their kids.

Principals and their school school safety teams prepare for many potential school security and emergency situations from school shootings to natural disasters and more.  But incidents around the nation in recent years suggest that they also need to discuss how they can prevent, and how they might respond to, parents who threaten and assault teachers, administrators, school support staff, and even students.

Are your security and educational staff who supervise student arrival, dismissal, and school grounds through the school day situationally aware for potential threats coming directly from parents? Are visitor management protocols in place? Are front office support staff trained to handle irate parents and adults? Have staff been trained in de-escalation skills?

These are only a few questions to consider. Sadly, school safety threats do not only come from students. In some cases, we see the violence and aggression directly coming from parents in our schools.

Fortunately, the vast majority of parents will never cross these lines and are very supportive. But have you prepared for the rare but dangerous situations from those who are not?

Dr. Kenneth S. Trump is President of National School Safety and Security Services  

National School Safety and Security Services

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