When parents talk about school safety these days, they’re usually referring to the increase in violence at schools. But research shows that school-age children are actually nine times more likely to suffer an injury while doing sports than to be the victim of violence while at school. Accidents can be prevented if parents are on the lookout for potential dangers. To help you keep your kids free from harm, here are some safety tips:

*Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers. Remember, a stranger is anyone you or your child doesn’t know well or trust.

*Be sure that your child walks to and from school with a sibling, friend or neighbor.

*Teach your kid, whether walking, biking or riding a bus to school, to obey all traffic signals, signs and traffic officers. Remind him to be extra careful in bad weather.

*When driving your kid, deliver and pick them up as close to the school as possible. Don’t leave until they are in the schoolyard or building.

*If your child rides a bike to school, make sure he wears a standard helmet. Research shows that a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%.

*Teach your kid to arrive at the bus stop earlier, stay off the street, and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop.

*Be sure that your kid knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call for emergencies.

A Lecture on Campus Safety

4 . When a Houston dad found out his eight-year-old son was being bullied, he didn’t get mad at the classmate who teased him. Instead, he talked with the so-called bully and realized that the boy was struggling, too.

Aubrey Fontenot’s son, Jordan, told him a boy named Tamarion was teasing him. Fontenot decided to sit down with his son and Tamarion to understand what was going on, and something unexpected happened.

Tamarion told Fontenot he was being teased at school, too. “I asked, ‘By who? You are big. You are huge. Who is teasing you?’” the father said. “He said, ‘Just all the other kids, man. They are making fun of me.’” Fontenot learned that Tamarion was getting teased for his clothes and shoes — his clothes and shoes were old and dirty. Fontenot then spoke to the boy’s mother. “She kind of confirmed it,” Fontenot said. “And she said, ‘That’s the kind of situation.’”

He felt sympathetic to the young boy and wanted to help. So he asked Tamarion’s mom if he could take her son to do some shopping.

Fontenot posted videos of their trip to the mall on social media and they went viral. Tamarion eventually smiled, and then the two were laughing and singing together on their shopping trip. Just as if he were taking his own son to do some shopping, Fontenot got Tamarion new clothes and shoes, and shared words of wisdom with him.

Then, the dad united the two boys. He said it was awkward at first — just a day earlier, they didn’t get along well at school. But the two classmates started playing sports games together and soon became friends. It was not just about the clothes and shoes. Tamarion gained a friend in Jordan, and a mentor in his dad. Fontenot said he was also bullied when he was a child, so he knew it was important to listen to Tamarion’s story. He chose kindness instead of anger and brought the two boys together. “I wouldn’t say that was the goal, but that was the reward,” Fontenot said.

7 . In the hallways between classes, on the playground, or on the school bus, bullying (欺凌) can happen anywhere.     1    . If you are being bullied, here are some tips to help you defend yourself.

Make a parent aware of the situation. Your parents can often speak out for you to the teachers and school leaders, and they may be able to have a talk with the parents of the aggressor (好斗者),     2    . Many kids, especially those who are not very popular, may have a few teachers they really like. If you have someone like this at the school, talk to this person about the bullying incidents.

Stop being a victim (受害者). You don’t have to act like a victim just because you have been the victim of bullying. This gives the aggressor more power over you and the situation. Walk with your head held high, your chin up and your back straight.     3    ; this makes it harder for someone to think of you as weak.

    4    . Be aware of your surroundings (周围环境) and the people around you. Stay away from students who seem to be trouble-makers. When a bully goes near to you, it’s a good idea to stand near a teacher or any adult to prevent them from laughing at or making fun of you.

Learn to protect yourself.     5    . These types of skill-based training courses not only help you defend yourself physically against aggressors, but they also teach you to avoid harmful environments, how to read unsafe people and how to prevent a fight before it starts.

9 . It was a cold, wet day on June 6, when 14-year-old Wasana arrived at school. Waiting outside his classroom for his classmates to arrive, Wasana _________ aimlessly at the pouring rain. Then his _________ fell upon the hill that stand at the back of the classroom.

He _________ huge amounts of rainwater flowing down the hill, and water was also bubbling (冒泡) at the base of a large rock on the hill. For a few _________, Wasana fixed his eyes on the water, _________ why it looked so familiar (熟悉).

Then it _________ him — the scene was surprisingly _________ to the pictures he was shown during Disaster Management classes. _________ a disaster was about to happen, Wasana waved _________ at students, shouting “Run, run, don’t stay here! The rocks on the hill are going to __________ on us!”

All the students and teachers ran to the open area that had been __________ as an emergency gathering point. __________, they heard screams as the huge rock rolled down the hill, bringing sand, rock and mud. There was nothing they could do but watch the earth __________ an entire school.

Thanks to Wasana’s quick action and careful observation (观察), __________ was hurt in the incident. Wasana later __________ a Gold Star from the Foundation for Civilian Bravery, Sri Lanka.

According to a recent survey, violence exists in schools in a great many     1    (variety). Students show their fear, and parents and teachers also express their great concern about it. Experts hope the whole society pay     2     (much) attention to the mental health of adolescents.

Nowadays, school violence is     3     hot issue. I think this is a common phenomenon,     4     calls for our great concern. We should make every effort to stop violence     5     (happen) at school, for more and more students would drop out of school     6     their personal safety could not be guaranteed (保证). In fact, violence can     7     (copy). Children copy violent behavior from adults or from     8    they see on television or on the Internet.

If I meet with school violence, I will not answer violence with violence, for it will result     9     more fighting. I will tell my teachers or parents about it. I think they will help me deal with it well and protect myself from the bad guys, which enables me     10    (gain) a sense of security.

All in all, every student should behave himself and keep away from violence.