Set standards of behavior, limits, and clear expectations for children both in and out of school and develop mutually agreed-upon rules about homework, extracurricular participation, grades, curfews, chaperoned parties, and places that are off limits.
Teach standards of right and wrong and demonstrate these standards through example.
Discuss with your children the school's discipline policies, reinforcing the belief that school rules support the rights of all students to attend schools with disciplined environments safe from the influences of violence and alcohol or substance abuse.
Encourage your children to talk about school, their social activities, their interests and problems, and even their walk or ride to school.
Be involved in your child's school life by reviewing homework, meeting with teachers, and attending school functions such as parent-teacher conferences, PTA meetings, class programs, open houses, plays, concerts, and sporting events.
Encourage your children to participate in after-school activities to help limit the amount of time your children are unsupervised and the amount of time they spend watching television.
Monitor what television programs your children watch, the video games they play, and the music they listen to regularly.
Talk to your children about the consequences of drug and weapon use and violence. Make sure firearms are kept unloaded and inaccessible to your children. Other dangerous weapons should also be kept away from your children.
Parents play a key role in ensuring that our children are safe and drug-free. Without the active support and participation of parents, schools and communities cannot be safe.
Parents must be part of the school's efforts to create an orderly, respectful environment.