How to Use Safekeeper Rituals in the Cafeteria

The brain functions optimally when a person feels safe, therefore the basic job description for adults in a Conscious Discipline school is “My job is to keep you safe.” The children’s job is “To help keep it safe.” This commitment holds true for the cafeteria staff and students as well. The Safekeeper Ritual establishes this commitment.

Safekeeper Rituals look different in different School Families and in different locations within each School Family. One of the most common Safekeeper rituals involves each child possessing an item like a popsicle stick that represents him or herself. During each lunch, a staff member states the Safekeeper job description and asks the children to commit to keeping it safe by putting their item in a decorated Safekeeper box. Some schools will also play a Safekeeper song such as “Safe Keeper” on Kindness Counts or “Safe and Calm” on Brain Boogie Boosters. This helps children remember their commitment to safety while in the busy, social cafeteria setting.

Complete instructions for the Safekeeper Ritual can be found in the Creating the School Family book.