While excited to have my kids back in the classroom after a hot and adventure-filled summer, purchasing new notebooks, pens, binders, and papers – not to mention school appropriate attire and uniforms – can max out my patience and bank account.
But my biggest concern for my children – and their classmates – this year goes far beyond backpacks and books. I’m worried about school safety.
As a former elementary school teacher, I was absolutely blessed to play a small role in the lives of hundreds of kids. For many, my classroom was the first step of their educational journey and “graduation” was always a bittersweet celebration as “my kids” moved on to the next grade.
I also had to come to grips with the harsh reality that at the end of the day, I was also responsible for the health and safety of every young person assigned to my class. Time and time again, at schools like Sandy Hook, Robb Elementary, and Covenant Christian, educators like me became human shields – and sometimes victims - as deranged individuals roamed the halls, looking to inflict harm on innocent, vulnerable children.
While these tragedies always lead to a partisan battle over gun rights, they rarely morph into actual reforms that keep our children safe. There is no shortage of opinions on how to curb violence but the emotions – and politics – continue to get in the way of the facts.
According to some estimates, “86% of mass public shootings took place in gun-free zones.” Schools, which ban the carrying of firearms on campus, remain the prime target for criminals wishing to harm others because these mass murderers, while evil and demented, are cowards who seek limited resistance to their violent rampages.
In a world where evil exists around every corner, our kids are sitting ducks in “Gun Free Zones” where law-abiding citizens lack the ability to prevent tragedy by protecting those who need it most. So, as we prepare to send out kids back to school, here are a few recommendations for fellow parents:
First, learn more about the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. The criminal who attacked The Covenant School picked a day when the school’s security guard was on vacation. If your child’s school doesn’t have a deep bench of SROs, request reinforcements. If your school doesn’t have an SRO program, where armed and trained individuals are present and prepared to act during school hours, demand one.
Next, connect with your local School Board representative or Principal to learn more about efforts to safeguard the school from intruders. Are there cameras? Do the doors lock automatically – and completely – during school hours? Some of these answers may be sensitive in nature but understanding the basic school security measures is your right as a parent. You deserve to know.
Finally, urge and promote public policy that empowers teachers and administrators to protect – and properly respond to – threats within the school. Personally, I support allowing teachers (who choose) to carry firearms. If we are expecting these men and women to protect our students, give them the ability to level the playing field with a weapon to protect themselves and their students.
At the very least, school systems should adopt programs like FASTER, which teach the same skills and techniques that law enforcement officers receive, including close quarters combat against active shooters and emergency medicine (like how to keep a gunshot wound victim alive while waiting for an ambulance to arrive).
I know this advice is “easier said than done” but the alternative – inaction – leads to so much worse. So, add these school safety checks to your “Back to School” to-do list and tackle them before the bell rings on the first day of class. Together, we can help our teachers and administrators make this year safe and successful for all students. With your help, we can prevent tragedy and help those we love the most to learn, grow, and thrive.
