Our brains are hard-wired for safety. The part of our brain that is always on the lookout for our safety is called our Amygdala. When thinking of safety, it is easy to think about all of the physical practices we like to have in place within our organization for both ourselves and our students. Physical safety is very important and should always be considered and improved by each of us everyday.

The other parts of safety that we need to be committed to are not as commonly talked about or committed too. Our emotional, social, and moral safety must be ensured in order for us to be a healthy organization and for each of us to thrive. We talk about student behaviors and bullying, but it is a little harder to talk about adult behaviors and bullying. But we must. We must commit to safety in each of these domains both individually and as an organization.

Emotional Safety:

We are each responsible to know and understand our own emotions. When we realize our emotions are becoming out of control, we need to take a deep breath, take a short walk, or reach out to someone who can guide us through our emotions. Anger, frustration, contempt, disrespect, and any other emotion that can produce negative outcomes can not be leveraged against any staff or students at Holiday Park. We are also responsible to notice others emotions and offer care for them when they have no control over their emotions.

Example of Emotional Safety -

Every time I bring up an idea at our team meetings one of my team members rolls her eyes. I think I am going to flip my lid. I want to slam my hands on the table and ask her what her problem is. So, I asked to be excused to use the restroom and take a short walk. I have control over my emotions now and can address this with my team member using a more constructive approach.

Non-example -

Seriously,did you just roll your eyes at me again. I’m done! I slam my hands down on the table and tell little miss roll-her-eye’s that the next time she does that to me I am going to rip that eye right out of her socket.Got it? 

Social Safety:

Every group or organization has both spoken and unspoken codes of conduct. Social safety occurs when each member of the community adheres to those codes of conduct. When we see adults breaking the code of conduct we are equally responsible to address this conduct as it affects our entire organization.

Example of Social Safety -

Every time Miss Froggy talks about data she always mentions her own children as an example. I am frustrated, but control my non-verbal communication so that Miss Froggy does not feel disrespected or embarrassed. I will speak with her privately about my frustration at another time.

Non-example -

Every time Miss Froggy talks about data, she mentions her own children as an example, I am so sick of this. I sigh, roll my eyes, and start to work on my computer. I don’t care if anyone pays any attention to her right now or not.

Moral Safety:

We are each responsible to know right from wrong and make decisions based on what is right. When we agree to get pulled into something that doesn’t feel right, that is morally unsafe.

Example of Moral Safety -

I noticed that one teacher arrives late everyday to work. Her partner teacher always takes her children into the classroom so no one is really aware. I decide that this is morally unsafe to our organization and I plan to meet with this teacher to see if I can help in any way.

Non-example -

I noticed that one teacher comes to work late each day and no one ever notices. Her partner teacher takes her children into the classroom for breakfast. Our doors are right next to each other so I ask her if she wants to take turns taking in the kids so we can each come in late every other day as well. Great:) 

At Holiday Park we must commit, as an entire organization, that we ensure safety for all. Emotional, social, and moral safety for each staff member, student, and parent. It is who we are and what we want to be.