Safety Tips for DC Families This School Season

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On September 1, 2025September 1, 2025By In Blog, Events, News

As the new school year begins in DC schools, we want to share vital resources from local community organizations to help keep our youth safe amid the ongoing federal enforcement presence. AJE recently participated in a youth-focused Know Your Rights training entitled “Kids Belong in Classrooms”, and hosted virtually on Friday, August 22, 2025 by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Free DC. Here are important resources from this event: 

Volunteer to Support Safe and Supportive School Communities

Care DC is looking for volunteers to support Walking Buses and/or Adopt-a-Block for our DC Youth. You can sign up here. 

Free DC is urgently calling on adult allies across the city to join our School Arrival and Dismissal Community Support Teams. These teams help ensure safe, supportive transitions for students at the start and end of each school day. Sign up here.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into long-term school organizing, they are also recruiting School Captains to anchor long-term community building within schools. Sign up to be a School Captain here.

Immediate Actions the Community Can Take

Print & Distribute Red Cards

These are essential tools to help inform families of their rights if confronted by immigration enforcement.

Hold training sessions, do roleplay practice, and build collective confidence and safety.

Resources:

Distribute Family Preparedness Plans

 

Save Emergency Hotline Numbers

Make sure every family and staff member has access to trusted legal aid and knows who to call.

 

Check School Safety Protocols

Make sure your school has clear plans in place for how to respond to ICE or law enforcement presence.

Resources:

 

Inner Care, Outer Impact

Bring Culture, Art, and Joy Into Organizing

  • Beautiful Trouble has many ideas for tactics to copy and remix. 
  • Make your protests fun – include art, dancing, music, decorations and more! 
  • Make relationships with local artists like musicians, dancers, MCs and others and invite them into your organizing circles. 
  • Take joy and fun as seriously as we take policy and demands – spend time and intention on making things beautiful, fun and culturally expressive. 

 

Prioritize Mental Health & Wellness

Organizing can be draining—community care is key. 

 

Call to Action

Expect More From Allies

Let’s show up for the families most at risk:

  • Gather with other parents and caregivers to brainstorm how to support those most at risk.
  • Read and share relevant materials and resources to stay informed.
  • Attend community meetings and organize or participate in solidarity events.
  • Participate in rapid response efforts when families or individuals are under threat.
  • Use platforms like WhatsApp or Signal to stay connected and communicate quickly.

 

Stay Informed & Fight Disinformation

Follow and engage with trusted local groups like:

Helping Kids Navigate News and Social Media at Home

  • Practice examining sources and doing independent research as a family.
  • Learn to assess whether images and information are real or misleading.
  • Teach children to ask critical media literacy questions—and model that behavior yourselves.
  • Talk with your children about the news and social media they consume.
  • Encourage open conversations about their thoughts, feelings, and questions.
  • Clarify how your family chooses to engage with current events and social issues.

This moment calls for care, courage, and collective action. Let’s co-create safety, solidarity, and support together.



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