Key takeaways: School greenhouses have the potential to become dangerously hot and humid. That’s why they should have a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature meter. If students and staff are harvesting food in the greenhouse, they need to inspect it before…
Key takeaways: For any special school event, it’s essential to have parents or guardians sign permission slips, approved by the school’s attorney. Cardboard boat races (such as those for physics students) are much safer if they take place in an…
Key takeaways: All bodies of water (including retention ponds) located near schools pose significant drowning risks. Administrators need to install fences to deter students from wandering nearby. Pond fences should be constructed to discourage climbing and be at least 15…
Key takeaways: String lights are a significant fire hazard, which is why school administrators should set ground rules for staff members who want to use them. To avoid overloading circuits, don’t use multi-outlet strips to power lights or daisy-chain multiple…
Key takeaways: If schools are considering banning cell phones in classrooms and other spaces, they should consider potential liability risks, such as phones becoming damaged or lost. The DONUT framework—Development, Opportunity, Notice, Uniformity and Timeliness—can help schools as they create…
Key takeaways: When schools are planning bonfires, they should take special care to find a location that is a safe distance from buildings, forested areas and artificial turf fields. The local fire department should always be involved and present for…
Key takeaways Before the weather turns colder, schools should take the opportunity to conduct crucial exterior inspections, such as checking to see if leaves and other debris are clogging roof drains and stormwater basins. Another important area for inspections is…
Emergency exits are a necessary and important part of a school that allows occupants to quickly and safely exit the building during an evacuation. If a building’s emergency exit signage is not illuminated or objects are stored in designated egress…
Agribusiness is a continually growing field, and some schools want to give their students hands-on experience caring for animals. Several curricula are available to guide students through the raising and care of livestock. Before a school adopts such a program,…
To offset the costs of extracurricular activities, many student and athletic organizations are exploring fundraisers that offer a service - unlike traditional fundraisers such as selling candy or popcorn. A fundraiser idea occasionally proposed by high school student organizations is…