Schools teach lessons every day. And sometimes they have to learn them.

Friday, Fallin Career and Technology Center Principal Linda Grafton was hit by a student-driven vehicle in the Natchez High School parking lot.

Grafton was working afternoon duty as students were leaving school.

The accident sent her to the hospital for five staples in her head. She’s OK, thankfully.

Now it’s time for the students, teachers and administrators to use this incident as a wake-up call.

Accidents do happen, but we must all work to avoid serious ones like this.

The school needs to examine every detail of its afternoon duty schedule. Are teachers standing in the right place? Should they be directing traffic at all? Do they have the proper training?

Teachers on duty must be extra cautious.

And students, often new behind the wheel, have to remember the basics. Pay attention. Don’t use your phone while you are driving. Slow down. Be sure of what is in front of you — and behind you.

It’s time for NHS to roll out a new parking lot safety plan.

School grounds should be safe havens for learning, not passports to the hospital.