"Comfort Kits" for School Aged Children

Why not send one? If the school is on extended lockdown for some off-campus police activity, or if there's a major storm, or if you're in a traffic accident and their pick-up is delayed significantly, wouldn't it be easier for them to cope if they had some comfort items from home? Blanket, favorite snack, picture of you? The school should have 3 days worth of supplies for all children and staff in the event of a major catastrophe, but a few things of theirs in the event of something happening on a smaller scale would mean a lot to them (and to the teachers that are helping comfort them).

3 moms found this helpful

Hi L.-

My kids' school hasn't asked for such kits. However, they did have an actual lockdown about a year ago. They had never had a real lockdown and so the staff went overboard and treated it as a hard lockdown. A criminal was being transported via car, and was able to escape. (He was not a murderer or anything like that.) (He didn't harm the security people who were in charge of him, either.) Anyway, it happened somewhat close to us but he was NOT spotted near the school. However... it was a scary time for the kids because they locked every classroom door and windows and didn't allow the kids out of the classrooms. (Some kids were scared.... they couldn't walk down the hallway to use the bathroom, go to the library.... etc..) My daughter came up to me and hugged me with tears in her eyes, when I was able to get my kids.

I'm only telling you this because I think a note from me would have helped her feel more comfortable. I've heard of moms and dads who are asked to write a note in case an emergency should arise and then the teacher could pass them out. (You could include a family photo, too.) I read one online once and it brought tears to my eyes.)

The note said something like....
"Honey, I know this is a difficult and maybe a scary time for you. I wish I could be there with you, but I am unable to get you right now. Daddy and I love you so much and can't wait to hold and kiss you again. Be strong sweetie and listen to your teacher right now. I will get you as soon as your principal says I can." Love, Mommy

We were not allowed to come and get our children during the hard lockdown since all doors were locked. I think it should have been classified as a soft lockdown since the crimminal was not spotted in the actual neighborhood. But... maybe they felt he could have snuck in the school to get the kids/school as hostages.

I don't think you're a bad mom, but it can't hurt to have one just in case. Slim chance but what if your child needed some comfort to feel better? Sure another student would probably share his stuff, but it would probably feel better if your child had his own kit. If my kids' school asks for one in the future, I will prepare one. Of course we hope they'll never have to use it.

-J.

3 moms found this helpful

We did this at my daughter's preschool and yes, I sent one in. It's true that it is in the case of an emergency. If there were an emergency, I imagine that they would go a long way in helping your child remain calm, and you would know that you have provided a few articles of comfort for such an occasion. At the end of the year, the kit was returned to us.

3 moms found this helpful

Huh, yeah, that sounds like a "shelter in place" kit. We live in the DC area and our schools DON"T do that, but with the recent 9-11 anniversary I was actually thinking about this. my company receommends we have a kit in our desks and cars and we do. We have had a lot of weather issues too recently. My husband was one of the people stuck in his vehicle for 13 hours overnight IN THE CITY during an ice storm. If an emergency occured we would have trouble reaching our kids if we weren't at home.

I guess it makes me think that I should probably make a kit for my daughter. Because heaven forbid, she needs it, I would want her to have it.

2 moms found this helpful

It's for an emergency and some of the schools near me do them (just outside of NYC). It's really about making sure that your child has what he/she needs in the event that the school is locked-down (in which case NO ONE is allowed in or out) or God forbid something happens and YOU cannot get to your child.

I don't see the harm in doing one. It would probably take you 10 minutes and if your child ever needed one and was without you would feel terrible.

Personally, I would call the school and find out what their thoughts are and whether or not this is part of their School Safety Plan. If it is, you really should do it.

1 mom found this helpful

I've never heard of this. Is there any chance they would keep you children in school in case of some type of emergency??

1 mom found this helpful

Our school has one for each student. They are all kept in a shed. I know they were put together a couple years ago and our PTA along with local churches and organizations mobilized to help our school with them. There are also first aid kits, water and other medical type equipment included.

I personally think it is a great idea...but I understand your feelings. No..you are not a bad mom. It just turns into "one more thing" the school is asking you to do ontop of the already long list. Maybe it is something the PTA could take on and get the community involved in.

Good luck and best wishes at feeling "comfort" in knowing you are not a bad mom!

1 mom found this helpful

We have to send one in for my son's preschool. We're also in California, so it's more of an earthquake/emergency kit. They ask for pop-top cans of tuna or chicken, some crackers, water, juice boxes, fruit cups, alcohol pads, napkins, and a letter from Mom & Dad. At my son's school it is mandatory. It must be turned in by the first week of school and is returned at the end of the school year. I think it's a great idea.

We did them for preschool - my son's elementary school has all of the supplies necessary (other than actual from home comfort items). We reused the bags during preschool, swapping out food items....I felt like I needed to do it just in case - how horrible would you feel if there was an emergency and you didn't provide one...for me, that feeling wasn't worth the 10 dollars or so that it cost to put in a small flashlight, few things of food, and pics.

I've never heard of this either.

My daughter's preschool does this. But they also have extra stuff on hand if there was an emergency.
I think you do this if you feel like it would comfort your child. I always do it because I know my daughter would want things she knew I packed for her.

most schools, daycares and preschools in western WA have these. They provide the basics for your child if there was a bad earthquake or some kind of dangerous emergency where they were trapped at the school without you. Yes, they are a pain and i think a lot of stuff gets thrown out (i usually put stuff in with a really long expiration date, so we can use it at the end of the year and buy new for the next year). i would strongly encourage you to throw together at least a few basic items (water, some kind of food, a photo). A teacher with a big group of kids would need all the help they can get in a bad situation and your kid would probably like to get a bag if soemthing did happen.

on a side note, if you arent prepared for an earthquake (or storm, security event, etc) at your home and the list seems daunting and/or expensive, at least keeping a couple of jugs of water and some non-perishable foods around is also a good idea.

One of the preschools I looked at had this type of thing. We ended up going somewhere else but here is my take. Imagine if we did have a problem, either a natural disaster, or something as simple as an armed man who happens to be in the area of your school and so your school is on lock down.

When a school is on lock down your child cannot even leave their class room. I imagine it is a frightening experience. If it were my child I would want them to have all the comfort I could give him/her in my absence in the scary situation. So why not bring in the required items?

I do know for a fact that we had a lock down at my sons elementary school about 4 years ago. No one was hurt but the kids were stuck in the class rooms for quite a while. It was an eye opener for the teachers and I know that the kindergarten teachers keep a stash of snacks just for that reason and they all have 5 gallon buckets in their rooms because the kids are not allowed to leave to use the bathrooms and the 5-8 year olds just can't hold it for hours like a grown up. We have an emergency preparedness person on the PAC and we make sure there is a bucket, and an emergency backpack in each room that we regularly check for supplies.
Something to think about.

Not only have we never been requested to do one, I've never heard of it B4. But, if I were asked to get it together, I would. But,you can't always keep up with everything and you have to decide what is going to slide.
A SPACE BLANKET, really??

I am not sure if I have the correct information, but when I did a search for your town and fault lines, it seems as though you are in an earthquake prone zone. I grew up in southern California and have lived through quite a few earthquakes, which is why it was always mandatory for children to have a kit like what you described. Although having photos, notes, etc is a nice touch that is new to me. Earthquakes cannot accurately be predicted and so you never will know if your children will be stuck at school because of a lockdown or a freeway collapse where you cannot get to them. I also know that if a child did not bring his or her kit, the school had to provide one which cost the school more money. When my son is school age, I will absolutely make one!

Interesting. Never heard of it (my kids are not in school though) but I wouldn't be adverse to it. We have kits at home, why not have one where they're going to be 35 hours a week?

i have not heard of them. i would do them if we were in a place with wild weather. i live close to the school. if there is an emergency, i am getting my child and leaving.