It’s shocking to know that mass shootings continue to take place in our schools. We are devastated. We are grief-stricken. We are angry. We are heartbroken. We are sad. Just imagine for a moment how you might feel if your child’s school was the target of a mass shooting.
More attention clearly needs to be paid to the safety of our children. Their world needs to be a safer place. Violence and killing needs to be prevented. What steps can be taken?
There are no simple answers. Lock all the doors and windows. Have a security system in place at all times. Have layers of security. Keep a resource officer inside every school building. Have doors that lock automatically. Have a “holding room” at every entrance. No one can get into the school until an authorized person comes and unlocks the “holding room” door. If the person seems suspicious, call 911 and do not let them into the building.
One thing is for sure; our children deserve a society that focuses on their safety. Our children deserve more dignity and respect. Our children deserve better ways put into place that will meet their emotional, intellectual, and physical safety needs.
What might make a real difference? One author gives these suggestions:
• Children must have loving and predictable relationships from birth.
• Children and families must have skillful professionals and helpers.
• Adults must teach respect, responsibility and non-violence.
• Poverty must be ended.
• Mental health services must be increased.
• Gun safety must be taught.
• Violence must be unacceptable.
• Everyone must advocate for children’s safety and well-being.
Children need to feel safe when they go into a school building. All safety protocols must be followed; always. No exceptions. No short-cuts.
One research study shows that many parents have added an additional 163 hours to their regular yearly work schedule. That means parents spend more time at work and less time with their children. And children are in the school buildings for a good portion of each day.
Children need a quality early childhood education. They need to be properly prepared for entry into elementary school. And they need to feel safe every day. Safe at home. Safe at school. And safe in the community.
It’s true, there are no simple answers. But we all need to try harder to make it a safer world for our children.
