Show Us Your Safety Style: How NHA Schools Came Together for Safe Schools Week
Walking through the doors of a National Heritage Academies® (NHA) partner-school during Safe Schools Week, you could feel an energy that was equal parts creative, empowering, and deeply caring. This year’s theme, "Show Us Your Safety Style," invited students, teachers, and staff across the network to reimagine what it means to keep a school community safe. It wasn’t just about fire drills and hallway rules; it was about mental health support, peer leadership, bullying prevention, and celebrating the heroes who keep us protected.
"Safety isn't just a set of rules, it is the foundation of everything we do," said Brian Gard, Director of Safety at National Heritage Academies. "When our students, staff, and families feel secure, supported, and empowered to look out for one another, true learning can flourish. Safe Schools Week is a wonderful opportunity to see our school communities bring that culture of safety to life in their own unique ways."
Across every region, NHA campuses took that vision and ran with it, turning important safety lessons into engaging, unforgettable experiences.
FDNY Partnerships, Neighborhood Safety, and Digital Citizenship
At Brooklyn Scholars Charter School, Safe Schools Week focused on helping students build knowledge, responsibility, and awareness both inside and outside the classroom.
A standout highlight was a special visit from the local Fire Department New York Firehouse 107, connecting the school's safety focus directly to the FDNY's Operation Sidewalk program to reinforce fire prevention and emergency preparedness. In the classroom, teachers guided discussions on following school rules, looking out for classmates, and practicing emergency drills.
Brooklyn Scholars also took safety lessons home, exploring neighborhood awareness, emergency contact lists, and digital safety for older students to ensure responsible technology use. By reflecting on how small acts of respect and reporting concerns to trusted adults build a welcoming environment, Brooklyn Scholars demonstrated that safety is a shared daily commitment.
The local Fire Department New York Firehouse 107 visited Brooklyn Scholars during Safe Schools Week.
Caught Being Safe: Linden Charter Academy Leads with Support
At Linden Charter Academy, safety style was defined by peer support, staff appreciation, and sweet rewards.
Linden launched a school wide "Caught You Being Safe" station, where staff members wrote appreciation notes to colleagues whenever they spotted them practicing exemplary safety habits, delivering each note alongside a sweet Lifesaver candy. To unite the entire campus, staff and students dressed in red to show their collective commitment to the cause.
Student leadership was on full display in the hallways and bus loops thanks to Linden's Middle School Bus Captains. These dedicated older students were caught in action escorting younger students safely to their assigned buses, riding the very same routes to ensure everyone arrived home securely.
Hands-On Readiness and First Responder Partnerships
Inspiration from emergency heroes resonated across multiple campuses throughout the week. At Paragon Charter Academy, firefighters led interactive workshops on home fire safety and emergency evacuation tactics. At Vanguard Charter Academy, Safe Schools Week provided students with engaging, hands-on opportunities to explore both school and community safety. Students practiced key emergency protocols, watched educational safety videos, and learned crucial real-world skills, including when and how to call 911 in an emergency. The week was highlighted by a visit to an authentic fire truck, where students learned about the vital role of local firefighters and emergency services.
Paragon Charter Academy celebrates Safe Schools Week.
Vanguard students practiced key emergency protocols during Safe Schools Week.
Many other schools like Vista Charter Academy, Pinnacle Academy, Greensboro Academy, Capstone Academy, and Cross Creek Charter Academy were visited by their local first responders, giving students an up-close view of what they do every day.
Vista was visited by by their local first responders during Safe Schools Week.
Greensboro was visited by by their local first responders during Safe Schools Week.
Pinnacle Academy celebrates Safe Schools Week.
Hero Days: Pathway School of Discovery
At Pathway School of Discovery, safety was celebrated as a true team effort. The school community spent the week learning about the everyday choices and daily protocols that keep their school protected and secure.
To honor those who step up in times of need, Pathway hosted a special Community Helpers & First Responders Dress-Up Day. Students and staff dressed as police officers, firefighters, medical professionals, and other local heroes to show their gratitude for the dedicated individuals serving their neighborhood. Through interactive daily discussions, Pathway reinforced that every student has a role to play in school safety.
Pathway hosted a special Community Helpers & First Responders Dress-Up Day for Safe Schools Week.
Schools like Fortis Academy also had a similar idea, enjoying a week with community leaders and learning about what they do to keep them safe every day.
Fortis students dressed up as community helpers and first responders for Safe Schools Week.
Kindness, Emotional Well-Being, and Mental Health Support
In today’s world, keeping a school safe extends far beyond physical walls, it relies on fostering empathy, supporting emotional health, and ensuring every student feels heard. Schools like Walton Charter Academy, Landmark Academy at Reunion, Walker Charter Academy, Burton Glen Charter Academy, and Oakside Prep Academy focused on building a supportive school culture rooted in kindness, digital responsibility, and mental health awareness.
Interactive pledge boards popped up in hallway commons, where students committed to anti-bullying initiatives aligned with NHA’s Moral Focus™ virtues. Inside classrooms, teachers guided open discussions on practicing peer kindness, both in person and online by navigating social media responsibly, while emphasizing the importance of looking out for one another's emotional well-being.
To support the whole child, these schools actively promoted accessible reporting and crisis resources. Educators reminded students that seeking help is a strength, highlighting tools like Michigan’s anonymous OK2SAY tip line to report safety, cyberbullying, or mental health concerns, alongside national support channels like the 988 Crisis Lifeline.
Walton focused on building a supportive school culture rooted in kindness, digital responsibility, and mental health awareness.
Student Ambassadors Across the Network
At Queen’s Grant Community School and Rolesville Charter Academy, older students stepped into active leadership roles as school safety ambassadors. Whether helping younger peers navigate arrival and dismissal lines or leading by example during situational awareness drills, these student leaders proved that safety is a shared responsibility.
When schools pair physical readiness with mental health support, peer mentorship, staff appreciation, and community partnerships, safety becomes second nature. Safe Schools Week demonstrated that when students and educators feel secure, heard, and supported, they don't just learn, they thrive.
Queen's Grant students stepped into active leadership roles as school safety ambassadors.
A heartfelt thank you to all our school leaders, safety coordinators, teachers, and students for bringing their unique safety style to life!