School Safety

[momof3]

With the school shootings starting up again, I wonder does anyone out there have any ideas what our government, schools, or parents can do to prevent this? I have two children in public schools and I cringe everytime I hear of another shooting. Are our children safe when we drop them off at school? Is this something that is just has been around for awhile and the media is just giving it more attention? What causes these children and adults to want to shoot children and/or teachers?

[DarkenedSoul]

MOMof3, when this crap started up the first time. I checked out Home Schooling, and I to was very concerned about this Subject. Even thou my Young'uns are now out of school, I still worry about this Chit. I pray for our Children, they are our future.........

[momof3]

I too have thought of home schooling and can understand why anyone would do it. However, we cannot afford for me to quit my job and both of my children are involved in school activities that I could not offer them if they were home schooled. We also cannot afford to send them to a private school. I worry about my children every day at school and wonder what can we as parents do to protect our children while they are at school?

[Frey]

Schools are not very dangerous places, but they are not crime free. Parents should not put the blame for these acts of violence on the schools or the government. As much as I hate to say this, the only thing that can be done (this is in the case of student-lead violence) is that parents be more aware of what their children are up to, how they spend their free time, and with whom they associate.

Being a teacher, I have had training dealing with school violence. Some facts I have learned are that 1. These events are usually well-planned; the shooter just does not "snap." , 2. There is no set criteria for deciding which students will be more prone to this type of violence, and 3. Many times, others will know of the event before it happens. School violence is not widespread; however, it does occur. The fact is, though, anytime people are together, violence of this nature can happen... school, work, the mall, at home... Because of media attention, it does seem that fatal school violence is more widespread than it actually is.

I really do not mean to be ugly when I say this... Aside from the fact the majority of parents are truly not able to provide a quality education on their own to their children because of their lack of education, one important thing most parents overlook when they choose to pull their children from public school to home school is the social value of going to school with others; this is where children learn many social interactions. The decision to home school should not be made on a whim.

I have no answer to what causes this kind of violence... All I can say is that I am very sorry it happens.

[momof3]

My children both love school and are very social. I don't want to pull them out of their schools because they need that time to socialize as well as learn new things. (And I'm not sos ure if I would have the patience to teach them) Two of the shootings this past week wasn't even by other students, it was by perverted men who wanted to assault our girls. I know that alot of people are quick to blame the schools when violence happens, however, I know that the schools are not at fault. I'm not so sure really if there is one person or organization to point fingers at. However, I wonder, does anyone think we should try to have more security at our schools? How about more metal detectors? Should we as parents routinely check the backpacks, cars, rooms, etc. of our children?

[Frey]

Mom...

You can place as many metal detectors in schools as you wish; however, the fact of the matter is if someone comes to school intending to shoot up the place, he or she can. Having more security officers still would not solve the problem either. If someone is bent on that type of violence, it would not matter how many officers were around.

You are right about parents checking on what their children are doing. Some parents have it in their heads that they do not want to be nosy (going through their children's rooms, belongings, and such). That is not being nosy... it is being a concerned parent.

There really is no good answer YET to the problem.

[DarkenedSoul]

frey said:

Mom...

You can place as many metal detectors in schools as you wish; however, the fact of the matter is if someone comes to school intending to shoot up the place, he or she can. Having more security officers still would not solve the problem either. If someone is bent on that type of violence, it would not matter how many officers were around.

You are right about parents checking on what their children are doing. Some parents have it in their heads that they do not want to be nosy (going through their children's rooms, belonging, and such). That is not being nosy... it is being a concerned parent.

There really is no good answer YET to the problem.

Hello Friend's, Now I've Stayed away from this Topic for my Own reason's. Mainly this is my First Year not having to Deal with the School System. "Yahoo 4 ME" BUTT- you parent's have more resorce's than you might think. MYSPACE, is the EASIEST way to keep up with what's going On....... Read what All the Friend's are up to, whom is Depressed and WHY......... Whom is upset, whom is Expecting, you get the Idea. All ya gotta do is READ.......... I have 3 Hell'yuns of my OWN. And I know more than they could IMAGINE...

[Pontotocmom]

Me too D/S. I check out all the kids, that have anything to do with my kids on myspace. Also I read the comments that they leave others. And nope I do not tell them I've checked or tell them where I get information from. It's a public board anyone can look.

[Frey]

Another idea is to be a parent who will listen when a child says something. Do not make light of any information your child gives you.