Congratulations, you’ve made it through the first month of the school year! The bulletin boards are full, the pencils are (mostly) still sharpened, and students are starting to know which side of the hallway to walk through. Now is the perfect time for a quick mid-semester safety tune-up to make sure all those great routines are still running smoothly.
Classroom & Building Safety Checkpoints:
Drill Review:
By now, each building should have held at least one lockdown drill and one evacuation drill in compliance with New York State regulations (8 NYCRR §155.17). Take a moment to reflect: did your students understand expectations? Were there hiccups with timing, communication, or mobility needs? Share feedback with your safety team so improvements can be made before the next drill.
Hallway Flow
The “first week shuffle” is over, but crowded hallways and stairwells can still pose risks. Encourage students to keep backpacks close to their bodies and avoid “traffic jams” near lockers. Little reminders help prevent slips, trips, and the occasional rogue trombone case.
Doors & Locks
Double-check that classroom doors and hardware are still working properly. Daily use can reveal issues like doors not latching or interior locks sticking — both important for security and everyday functionality.
Technology & Communication
Test your classroom phone, intercom, or communication app. A month in is often when glitches show up — batteries fade, cables get loose, or logins expire. Better to catch it now than during an emergency.
Allergy & Medical Awareness
By this point, you probably know which students have allergies, asthma, or special medical needs. Revisit where EpiPens, inhalers, and care plans are stored, and make sure substitutes know the basics too.
