Achild’s education is the foundation from which he or she will be able to go outinto the world and build a life. Schools play a major role in this aim, and therefore it is reasonable to expect that theseplaces of learning would be safe for the children while they are preparing for adulthood.Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In many instances, especially in low income, urbansettings, schools can be a war zone. We are not talking about minor bullying,but rather serious violence.
Growing up is tough enough without having to be worried about beingkilled while going to math class. The main idea of this essay is about kids murdered due to school violence and this is the reason why I chose this topic. More than 300 kids weremurdered from 2011 to 2016. These were shootings, stabbings, fighting andsuicides. Based on the CNN news website, in 2011 there were 31 violent deaths such as homicidesand suicides. During the mass shooting incident that took placeat Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012, 20 children and six adults were killed.
In the year since that incident, there were 17 other schoolassociated violent deaths, in the report found. In a month, nearly 6% of highschoolers stayed home because they felt unsafe at or on their way to school.More than 7% of 9th through 12th graders reported being threatened or injured with aweapon on school property at least once in the last year. An additional 6%admitted to bringing a weapon to school for protection. On October 2013, Sparks Middle School in Nevada, a 12-year-old student takes his parent’s handgun to school and shootsthree, injuring two 12-year-old male students and killing a teacher but then kills himself. On June 2014, 15-year-old boy shoots and kills a 14-year-old kid in the school gym.
He later takes his own life at the Reynolds High School.Marysville-Pilchuck High School on October 2014, a freshman shoots five people in the schoolcafeteria, killing one. Freshman dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Asecond victim dies of her injuries two days later; a third one dies on October31.
A fourth victim dies on November 7, bringing the total fatalities to five,including the gunman. After a year, a 14-year-old boy opens fire on the playground, wounding twochildren and a teacher. One of the wounded children, dies three days later. Before goingto the school, the teen also shot and killed his father and he is in custody. I thought it was over but on April 10, 2017, an 8-year-old boy and his teacher are killed when the teacher’s husband, walks into her classroom and opens fire.
Two other students are wounded then kills himself. Lastly, on September 13, 2017 another shooting happened in Freeman High School, one student is killed and three are injured and the police reports, suspect is a sophomore at the school. Let’s hope and pray that this is the last school shooting that willever happen but how can we stop this school violence? What is violence and why I decided to write about it?Behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone. Violence happens because other people are not aware of their feelings or actions and it should be taken seriously. Seeing news abouta young kid killing another kid, shocking and disappointing. Who should weblame? What causes school violence? According to the Janell Blanco a female professor found on an educational website, there is no clear reason or cause for school violence. However, thereare factors that can increase a student’s likelihood to commit a type of schoolcrime.
Such as a ruined community, poor academic success, poor family structure, being bulliedby others, behavioral factors (Impulsiveness and hyperactivity) and the use ofalcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Students, staff, and parents all have an important role in promotingschool safety. Adults can provide leadership by reassuring students thatschools are generally very safe places for children and youth. I’ve watched a TV show called “13 Reasons Why” (Hannah, a young woman who takes her own life, but she leaves a box and inside are13 recordings of her explaining 13 reasons why she chose to commit suicide) and some people like introverts can relate to this because it’s veryrealistic. In conclusion, schools should have people who can deal with these sorts of issues.
A person who can turn the student’s life around, change violence in schools to peace. When people are not frightened, frustrated, or angry they are muchmore able to open, to listen, and learn. They will have an open mind to what is being taught. In my opinion theonly way to avoid violence is to regularly, and constantly address conflictsbefore they become a serious problem.
