FEARLESS PARENTING FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM

Unlike “horse and buggy” or “roller and coaster” the words “school and violence” were never meant to go together.  Just the proximity of these two words to each other is appalling.  Yet, violence is a reality on our streets and in our schools.

We can no longer brush off the issue of hostility and bloodshed with “not in my backyard” or “ not in my child’s school”.  We now know better. Although the primary mission of our schools is to teach our children, without a secure environment for instruction, students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach. Incidents of unspeakable violence have been carried out in the classrooms of Jonesboro and the hallways of Brooklyn.  In small towns, urban communities, military bases, alternative communes, reservations and walled suburban enclaves, parents are concerned about the safety of their children and want to do something about it.

Prevention and preparedness are critical if we are to minimize the risk of violence in our schools.  Research has shown that school communities can do a great deal to prevent violence and foster appropriate behavior.  With a safe and responsive foundation in place, schools can provide a first-rate learning opportunity for all youngsters as well as intervene to offer additional psychological services to those who are still struggling to manage their anger.

Schools that encourage children’s successful learning and development have a strong academic focus, support students in achieving high standards, foster resilience and facilitate parental involvement.  An effective and safe school should be the hub of activity for a community and a place where children feel a sense of belonging and pride. A child should never feel threatened walking into a lavatory alone or insecure staying after school for help with homework.

Most schools are secure places. However, not all schools are equally safe. National data suggests that middle and high schools, especially larger schools, are more at-risk for serious violence.  While shocking and senseless shootings give the impression of dramatic increases in school-related violence, our national statistics do not show these numbers to be significantly on the rise.  So, while we can take some comfort in the knowledge that schools are relatively safe, we cannot be complacent until they are 100% violence free.  The loss of one child to a meaningless act of school violence is one too many.  What if it were your child?