Students who have been away for the recent holidays will be going back to school this coming week. Because of the murderous rampage in Newtown Connecticut; that shook the nation three weeks ago and devastated families in the community where the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre occurred, everyone in America has been forced to think differently about what preparations are necessary for going back to school.
Parents now consider giving their elementary age children cell phones for emergency use.
An officer on the scene yesterday in Newtown reported on CNN News channel, about the preparations for the children to resume classes Thursday January 3, 2013. A nearby school building, (with most of their familiar items like desks and back packs being transported to the new location) will be used. The officer explained about all the precautions that had been taken and he made the comment that ‘today, this is the safest school in America.’
http://news.msn.com/us/sandy-hook-kids-return-to-school-for-first-time-since-shootings?ocid=ansnews11
Does that mean other schools in America are less safe or not as safe as possible? Its distressing when reading, writing and arithmetic are no longer the primary focus at school. What does it take to be the safest school in America ? Will complete security be achieved after trial and error, facing more horrific disasters? How can we keep our schools safe?
Metal detectors are already standard equipment at many urban high schools. Now middle schools and elementary schools may have to consider that as well. The increased presence of police and security on the scene in Connecticut adds credibility to the NRA position that ‘call me crazy’ but all schools should consider having an armed police officer on duty.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
Serving beside the principal, the teachers and guidance counselors, the cafeteria workers, crossing guard, office staff and janitor, there should be an armed police officer ready to protect the kindergarten class.
Sheriff Andy Taylor from Mayberry would not qualify for this duty.A character like Arnold in Kindergarten Cop comes closer to fitting the criteria.
Parents take a more active role in the increased protection for their children. There are reports of hildren as young as six years old who have brought weapons to school. They say it is for protection. Read about 3 kindergartners who were wounded by a gun that fell out of a back pack and went off in their cafeteria.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/19/texas.school.gun.accident/index.html
It is a challenging task to insure that all students and faculty feel safe at school and maintain normalcy in obtaining an education rather than impose prison like conditions for the sake of security.
Do we send everyone back to school in a bullet proof vest? Do we teach our children and staff to run for cover when they hear a ‘click’ sound? Is home school a more appealing option these days? http://homeschoolcheercolorado.com/
Society is in a frenzy to find solutions to what seems to be an outbreak of aberrant behavior. Monsters really do exist and they have stolen the innocence for our children.
Comments