It’s already time for graduation—amazing how fast the 2010-2011 year has come and gone. Graduation season is exciting for everyone. Faculty and staff members, students, and parents are all gearing up for end-of-the-year celebrations. But, as you know, these exciting times can also pose risks. Here are a few tips to share with students, parents, and faculty members that will help keep this year’s graduating class as safe as possible.
- Have a list of your school’s itinerary available for parents, students, and all faculty and staff members.
- Have a list of chaperons available for parents. Include information about how to contact these individuals.
- Discuss risky behaviors such as drinking, drug use, unsafe sex, and cell phone use while driving, and make your school's (non)tolerance policies of these known. Clearly outline the risks associated with these activities by sharing news stories, research findings, and personal experiences, if appropriate.
- Express to parents the importance of knowing who is driving their child to and from graduation celebrations. Will they be renting a limo or car; is there a designated driver; do they know the friend that will be escorting their child?
- Express to parents the importance of their child having a way to contact them in case of an emergency. If a cell phone is the desired method, re-emphasize the dangers of cell phone use while driving.
- Have an action plan for volunteers working graduation events in case of an emergency, or if a student arrives in a questionable state.
- Check with your Property and Causality Officer about precautions you should be taking, and situations you should be aware of.
- Consider hiring additional security.
ISM’s Student Accident Insurance can help protect your students and your school in the event something unfortunate happens during your celebrations. For more information about available policies, click here. ISM also offers Director’s and Officers insurance which protects your schools Director’s, Officers, Trustees, employees, and volunteers. For more information about this private-independent school focused coverage, click here.
