Kids are getting ready to go back to school, and many worried parents are asking themselves, “How do I send my child back to school while the Delta variant rages?” Facing a difficult choice, parents must decide to send kids to school and risk a Covid-19 infection or keep kids home and jeopardize their mental health and educational development.
With the ever-changing updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), questions about mandates for school environments remain unanswered. Will children need to mask up again? Will social distancing be reinstated? Is it possible that the schools will shut down, and will instruction once more be delivered digitally? It’s an uneasy time for parents and students to say the least.
Schools and teachers have a duty to protect students from anything that could lead to severe injury or death. This includes providing them with a sanitized and safe environment while they are on a school bus, during the school day and when they are engaged in extracurricular activities.
Outside of concerns about the coronavirus, there are other changes that occur once school is back in session. A new school year means more pedestrians, active school zones, and distracted parents dropping off and picking up kiddos. Drivers should be extra attentive to these things and avoid becoming distracted themselves. This is why the state has imposed a no-phone law in school zones.
“Studies have shown that driving and talking on the phone or texting are similar to driving while drunk. Would you ever drive drunk in a school zone? Of course not. Pay attention to the kids, the crossing guards and other motorists,” Brad says.
For kids who must stay home unsupervised after school for a period of time because both parents are working, there should be strict rules in place. After they let themselves in, they should lock the door immediately behind them. They should never let anyone in the house, especially a stranger, and if there is a home alarm, they should arm it immediately after locking the door behind them. Parents might also prohibit the use of appliances that can present a fire hazard and ask that they don’t play outside without a parent at home. These current technologies can also aid in keeping kids safer:
- Smart locks allow you to assign customizable PIN codes to lock and unlock the door. Parents can use the smart phone app to see who is coming home and when. This is especially convenient because kids won’t have to remember a key.
- Video doorbells can send you alerts so you receive an update whenever someone is at your front door. Know exactly when your kids get home from school, if they bring any friends with them, or if there’s any suspicious activity.
- Security cameras act as an extension of your eyes and ears. Many cameras have the option for two-way communication, meaning you can talk to your kids right through the camera.
Bus Stop Safety
- Children should stay at least five feet from the curb or roadway at all times. Teach kids to take three giant steps back from the curb or road and to stay at least that far back while they wait for the bus.
- Stay alert at the bus stop. A no headphones/devices at the bus stop policy is a good idea since these distractions keep kids from responding to their surroundings.
- When crossing the street to board the bus, wait until the bus driver puts the arm/stop sign out to stop the cars going in the opposite direction. Even when the stop sign is up, kids still need to look both ways before crossing the road.
- Kids should never walk behind the bus or in other places it can be hard for the bus driver to see.
- Once on the bus, kids should take a seat, face forward, and remain seated at all times.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Accident?
If you’ve been injured you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free, no obligation consultation. We help personal injury clients throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
At Parker Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers believe people matter. We are committed to our clients, not case numbers, and we believe in the power of the civil justice system. With years spent both representing accident victims and participating in the state legislative process, our founder, Brad Parker, has developed a deep understanding of the law and gained unique experience that helps him get results for his clients.
