Dallas ISD remains committed to ensuring our schools are safe and secure learning environments for all students. Now more than ever, each and every one of us plays a vital role in warranting our children’s safety. With approximately 4.6 million children living in a household with loaded and unsecured firearms, and the startling fact that guns are the No. 1 killer of children and adolescents, we must band together to create secure environments for the future generation. Every child deserves to feel safe at school and at home, and we encourage parents and guardians to join us in these efforts.
While the district has a multilevel approach to providing instructional spaces where kids feel welcome and safe while they learn, the Be SMART framework is just one way that parents can do their part in protecting children. “SMART” in this case refers to:
- Secure all guns in your homes and vehicles
- Model responsible behavior around guns
- Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes
- Recognize the role of guns in suicide
- Tell your peers to be SMART
Be SMART makes it easy for parents and guardians to learn how they can become an ally. The program’s website features online resources outlining the proper storage of firearms, which can help prevent tragedy and save lives. The framework is also designed to help parents and adults normalize conversations about gun safety and take responsible actions that can prevent gun-related deaths and injuries—precious dialogue that is key to being proactive.
We encourage all families to learn more about Be SMART and gun safety at besmartforkids.org. For more information on Dallas ISD’s multilayer approach to school safety, please visit dallasisd.org/safeschools.
