Parents at the New Year's Morning: From a Social Ritual to Managing Mass Gatherings Introduction: The Morning's Celebration as a Multilevel Socio-Pedagogical Complex The New Year's morning celebration in modern Russian schools is a complex socio-cultural phenomenon that goes far beyond a children's party. It simultaneously is: An educational event (the result of children's and teachers' creative work). A family ritual (demonstration of children's achievements, strengthening family identity). A public event with elements of mass gatherings. It is precisely this last aspect that has become a source of significant organizational and legal problems related to ensuring safety in recent decades. The presence of a large number of parents in a limited school space creates a unique combination of risks requiring scientifically based management. Risk Structure: From Physical Safety to Psychological Discomfort Stampede and Trauma Risk (Crowd Management): Auditoriums, assembly halls, and sports halls in most schools were designed in another era and are not designed for the simultaneous presence of 2-3 adults per child (often both parents plus grandparents). This creates a critical load on evacuation routes, staircases, and doorways. Panic caused by even a minor incident (such as a pop from a faulty string of lights) can lead to tragic consequences in crowded conditions. Example: Although no major accidents at morning celebrations have been recorded, local incidents occur regularly — falls from overcrowded balconies in assembly halls, injuries in the crush at the entrance. Fire Safety: The widespread use of pyrotechnic effects (poppers, confetti, "snow"), strings of lights, often homemade or past their expiration date, creates a direct threat of fire. Parents standing in corridors and at exits block evacuation routes, which is a gross violation of fire safety requirements. Criminal and Antiterrorist Risk: Schools, open to a large flow of adult strangers on the day of the morning ... Read more