October is Ohio School Safety Month, and next week, and XCS is celebrating Safe Schools Week from October 19-23!

Creating a safe, welcoming school is about more than drills and rules, it is about creating a caring school community. Throughout School Safety Week, we will focus on safety routines, kindness, physical well-being, and trusted relationships.

Highlights for the Week:

📘 Monday: The Foundation (Preparedness)
We are kicking off the week by launching our new Family Wellness and Safety Playbook, full of information families need to know about preparedness at XCS.

🗨️ Tuesday: Communication & Caring ("See Something, Say Something")
Learn how to report concerns and resolve any issues your child may have.  

🧡 Wednesday (Unity Day): Emotional Safety (Kindness & Inclusion)
Wear ORANGE to show our commitment to kindness and inclusion! Kindness may be one of the best safety strategies, as it helps create a space where all students belong and feel safe. 

🚌 Thursday: Physical Safety (On the Move)
In alignment with National School Bus Safety Week, Thursday is all about getting to and from school safely! Whether your student walks, rides a bus, or drives to school, we want everyone to arrive safe and ready to learn. 

🚓 Friday: Celebrating Our Everyday Heroes
High Five Friday, celebrating our SROs and safety community partners.

How Families Can Partner With Us at Home

Our most important partner in keeping our school community safe is ... YOU! Here are two quick ways parents and caregivers can support Safe Schools Week from home:

• Talk About Trusted Adults: Ask your child to name 2 or 3 adults at school (a teacher, counselor, bus driver, or administrator) they know they can talk to if they ever feel unsafe or overwhelmed.
• Review Road & Bus Safety: If your child rides the bus, remind them to stay a safe distance from the curb while waiting. If you drive near school grounds, thank you for obeying school zone speed limits and stopping for crosswalk guards!