Why parent questions matter more than ever
Parents are essential partners in a child’s education. You know your child best, and your perspective helps schools understand what students need to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. When it comes to school safety and student support services, families deserve clear answers—not only after something happens, but well before a crisis occurs.
One of the most effective ways to strengthen school climate is also one of the simplest: ask thoughtful, specific questions. The National PTA created a helpful list of “20 Questions Every Parent Should Ask” to better understand what’s happening in their child’s school around safety protocols, mental health supports, and communication.
Below is an easy-to-follow breakdown of those questions, organized into three categories. Use this as a conversation guide for meetings with your principal, school leadership team, or family liaison. The goal isn’t to “catch” anyone off guard—it’s to build a shared understanding and a stronger partnership.
Category 1: School safety protocols (Questions 1–8)
Safety is more than locked doors and drills. Strong safety planning includes people, policies, and practices that work together.
1) Does the school have a school safety team?
If yes, ask who is on it. A well-rounded team is typically interdisciplinary and may include school leaders, school-employed mental health practitioners (such as school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers), parents, and local law enforcement.
2) Is there a current school safety policy?
- Where can you review it?
- What is included?
- How often is it evaluated and updated?
Policies should reflect current best practices and be revisited regularly—not left on a shelf.
3) Is there a threat assessment protocol?
- What does it include?
- Who conducts the threat assessment?
It’s important that school-employed mental health professionals are involved in both developing and implementing this work. Threat assessment should include how threats are identified, how seriousness is determined, and how intervention plans protect potential victims while also addressing underlying conflict or needs.
4) What building safety measures are in place?
Ask about basics that often make a big difference, such as visitor check-in/check-out procedures, lighting, and secure access points to the campus (including parking lots, playgrounds, and playing fields).
5) What physical security measures are in place—and how are decisions made?
If the school uses additional security measures, ask how those decisions are made. The PTA guidance emphasizes that decisions should be locally determined and collaborative, with input from students, parents, educators, school leaders, and the community.
6) Are there school resource officers or security personnel on campus?
- What training have they received, and is it ongoing?
- Are they armed?
- What is their role and authority during an emergency?
Roles and responsibilities should be clearly outlined—often through a Memorandum of Understanding—so everyone understands expectations and boundaries.
7) Are school safety drills conducted throughout the year?
- What can students and parents expect from drills?
Drills should be designed with student age and developmental needs in mind. Families should understand what drills look like and how students are supported during them.
8) In an actual emergency, how will evacuation and reunification work?
- How are students evacuated?
- How are parents and students reunited?
Ask about child release processes. Strong procedures help ensure no child is released to an unauthorized person, even in stressful situations.
Category 2: Student behavioral and mental health services (Questions 9–15)
School safety and student wellness are closely connected. Supports that strengthen coping skills, relationships, and emotional regulation can reduce conflict and improve learning outcomes.
9) What mental health and wellness support services are available?
Ask what services exist and how students access them. The PTA notes that services should be integrated within the context of learning—meaning they support academic success as well as wellbeing.
10) Are there schoolwide prevention and intervention programs?
Look for programs that are evidence-based and help students understand behaviors and attitudes that lead to violence, how to resolve conflict peacefully, and how to build a culture of respect and learning.
11) How many support professionals are on staff?
Ask about the number of school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses. Adequate staffing helps ensure students receive timely, high-quality support and that families can be connected to appropriate community services when needed.
12) How do families refer a student for services?
If you think your child needs additional support, ask about the referral pathway. Often, a family liaison or your child’s teacher can help connect you with a school-employed mental health professional.
13) Do school employees receive training on early intervention and prevention?
Ask whether professional development is offered to all school-based employees on an ongoing basis, including training on how to access school and community-based mental health services.
14) What are the school’s policies on bullying, harassment, and discipline?
Effective discipline should teach and reinforce positive behaviors—not only punish negative ones. Ask how the school approaches prevention, reporting, investigation, and follow-up support.
15) What crisis response and psychological supports are available during emergencies?
In a crisis, students and staff may need immediate psychological support. Ask what measures are in place and how the school coordinates with local, state, and national health agencies when needed.
Category 3: Communication and family partnership (Questions 16–20)
Even strong safety plans can fall short if families don’t know how information will be shared. Clear communication builds trust and reduces confusion during stressful events.
16) Is there an anonymous reporting process?
Ask whether students, staff, and families can report concerning behaviors or potential threats confidentially. The PTA notes that a safe way to “break the code of silence” is one of the most effective safety measures.
17) How are families notified about drills?
Ask how far in advance information is shared and what details are provided. Proactive communication helps avoid unnecessary concern.
18) How are families notified about threats or incidents?
Notification procedures should consider technology access, language needs, and communication barriers. Ask what channels the school uses (texts, emails, phone calls, website updates) and what families should do after receiving a message.
19) How are parents informed when a teacher refers a child for behavioral or mental health services?
The PTA recommends schools request an in-person meeting with parents as soon as possible to discuss concerns and agree on a course of action. Ask what the timeline and process look like.
20) How can families and students provide ongoing input?
Ask how the school collects feedback on climate and safety measures. In-person forums can be a practical way to gather input and keep the conversation going.
What this means for schools—and how TinyEYE can help
These 20 questions highlight a key truth: safe and supportive schools are built through coordinated planning, adequate student supports, and consistent communication with families.
For many districts, the biggest challenge isn’t knowing what students need—it’s having enough capacity to meet those needs. That’s where service delivery models can evolve. TinyEYE partners with schools to provide online therapy services that help expand access to student support, especially when staffing shortages or geographic barriers make in-person services difficult.
When schools can strengthen student support services—while maintaining clear referral pathways and family communication—everyone benefits:
- Students get earlier access to support
- Educators gain partners in addressing learning and behavioral needs
- Families have clearer next steps and more consistent communication
- Schools improve climate, engagement, and readiness to learn
For more information, please follow this link.
