Back to School Safety Starts with Awareness: What Parents, Caregivers, and Students Should Know

As backpacks are packed, schedules are finalized, and students prepare to return to classrooms, many families naturally focus on academics, friendships, and extracurricular activities. But alongside those preparations, there is another important conversation worth having: personal safety and situational awareness.

The good news is that violence prevention is not about living in fear. It is about recognizing concerns early, paying attention to changes in behavior, and empowering ourselves and those around us to speak up when something doesn't seem right.

Many of the same principles used in workplace violence prevention programs and Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) training can help parents, caregivers, staff, and students create safer schools and communities.

Safety Begins with Situational Awareness

Situational awareness simply means paying attention to your surroundings and recognizing what is normal and what is not.

For students, this can include:

• Being aware of emergency exits and safety procedures
• Trusting their instincts when something feels wrong
• Paying attention to unusual behavior or concerning comments
• Staying connected with trusted adults when concerns arise

For parents, staff, and caregivers, situational awareness means staying engaged in your child's daily experiences.

Consider asking:

• Tell me about your day.
• Did you notice anyone struggling today?
• Did anything happen that made you uncomfortable?
• Is there anything happening at school that concerns you?

These conversations create opportunities for students, children, and teens to share concerns before they become larger problems.

Understanding Behavioral Warning Signs

One of the core lessons of BTAM training is that concerning behavior often appears before a crisis occurs.

It is important to remember that a single behavior does not automatically indicate a threat. Instead, patterns, escalation, and combinations of behaviors deserve attention.

Some potential warning signs may include:

• Significant changes in mood or personality
• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Expressions of hopelessness or despair
• Increased anger or aggression
• Fixation on violence or previous violent events
• Threatening statements, whether verbal, written, or online
• Sudden fascination with weapons combined with other concerning behaviors
• Dramatic declines in academic performance or engagement

Many individuals displaying these behaviors are struggling and need support, not punishment. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and can help connect individuals with resources they need.

The Importance of "See Something, Say Something"

One of the biggest barriers to prevention is the assumption that someone else will report a concern.

Students sometimes worry about being labeled a tattletale. Parents may wonder whether they are overreacting. Teachers and staff may hesitate because they lack complete information.

BTAM principles encourage a different mindset:

If something concerns you, share it with the appropriate person.

Reporting concerns is not about getting someone into trouble. It is about getting help, support, and assessment before a situation escalates.

When in doubt:

• Report concerns to school administrators.
• Utilize anonymous reporting systems when available.
• Contact counselors or mental health professionals.
• Follow emergency procedures if there is an immediate threat.

It is always better to raise a concern that turns out to be nothing than to remain silent about something significant.

UC Davis Reporting and Support Resources

If you observe concerning behavior, threatening statements, acts of intimidation, or behaviors that may pose a risk to the UC Davis or UC Davis Health community, remember: If you see something, say something.

The UC Davis Workplace Violence Prevention Program encourages employees, students, patients, visitors, and community members to report concerns early. Reporting is not about punishment. It is about prevention, support, and connecting individuals with the resources they may need before a situation escalates.

If you are concerned about someone's behavior on the UC Davis or UC Davis Health campus, contact the UC Davis Workplace Violence Prevention Team or follow your department's reporting procedures. In an emergency or if there is an immediate threat to safety, always call 911 or contact UC Davis Police Department.

Support Is Available Through UC Davis's Academic Staff Assistance Program (ASAP)

For UC Davis employees and their families, it's important to remember that support is available when challenges arise. The UC Davis Academic Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) provides confidential resources to help employees and their household family members navigate stress, emotional concerns, life transitions, and other personal challenges.

Many employees don't realize that ASAP services are available at no cost to eligible family and household members, making it a valuable resource for parents, caregivers, and students who may need support during the school year and beyond.

Whether you are concerned about a child's well-being, struggling with stress yourself, or looking for guidance on difficult conversations, reaching out early can make a meaningful difference.

Building A Culture of Awareness and Connection

Being prepared and informed as well as avoiding isolation, promoting connection, can decrease risk factors, and are preventative measures.

As families prepare for the school year:

• Review school safety procedures with your child.
• Encourage participation in positive activities.
• Help students build healthy friendships.
• Stay engaged with teachers and school staff.
• Promote respectful communication at home.
• Check in regularly about emotional well-being.
• Encourage students to trust their instincts and seek help when needed.

A Final Thought

Safety is a shared responsibility. Parents, caregivers, educators, staff, students, and community members all play a role in creating environments where people feel safe, respected, and supported.

The purpose of violence prevention is not to make us fearful. It is to help us become more aware, more connected, and more willing to act when someone may need help.

Prevention is most effective when awareness, reporting, and support work together. By recognizing warning signs, speaking up about concerns, and utilizing resources such as the UC Davis Workplace Violence Prevention Team and ASAP, we can help foster safer, healthier, and more connected school and workplace communities. As we head back to school this year, remember, prevention often starts with simple actions: noticing, caring, checking in, and speaking up.

Together, we can help create schools and communities where every parent, caregiver, educator, student, and staff have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive safely.