From Deseret News archives:
What do we tell students about safety now?
Last week, a gunman took six students hostage at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, Colo. sexually assaulting some of them before killing one girl and himself. Two days later, a principal in Wisconsin was shot to death by a 15-year-old who had been disciplined for throwing a stapler at a teacher's head.
Suddenly, the assurances we as parents give our children regarding their safety at school are probably beginning to sound a bit absurd.
We all have our stock lines.
"You're actually safer at school than you are outside of school."
"This is a safe community. You'll be fine."
"We know your principal, teachers and school secretaries are looking out for you."
"We wouldn't send you to school unless we knew it was safe."
In the aftermath of these disturbing events, what do we tell our children now? Will they believe us?
As much as we would like to protect our children from images of school violence, today's children are more plugged in than ever. Even if parents have a strict policy of turning off the radio and TV when there has been a school shooting, others aren't so strident. A child's peers will have access to this information, and word will spread like wildfire. Worse yet, there will be no opportunity for parents to help children understand the day's events or to place these events in the proper context. Parents need to initiate these conversations.
Public schools are public buildings, so it is not reasonable to expect that they can be cordoned off at the start of each school day. It's unrealistic that every school have an armed peace officer on the premises. Utah simply hasn't the resources or, gratefully, a demonstrated need.
Seemingly, though, there's got to be something better to do than wring our hands and shake our heads when the unthinkable happens. Particularly when the unthinkable seems to be happening repeatedly.
Comments
- Snowstorm hits Utah; 1 dead 1:11 p.m.
- GameDay in Fort Worth 1:10 p.m.
- NASA sets Monday shuttle launch 11:53 a.m.
- WVC robberies investigated 11:41 a.m.
- Funeral today for Utah soldier 11:16 a.m.
- Vaccination clinic set in St. George 11:15 a.m.
- $47B in suspect Medicare claims 11:11 a.m.
- 3 dead in Reno helicopter crash 11:02 a.m.
- Galaxy headed to MLS Cup 10:45 a.m.
- Veteran climber dies in Himalayas 10:36 a.m.
- Attack meant to kill apostle
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- D-Will home for daughter
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Born of water and the spirit
- Trial begins in toddler death
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
351 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
163 - Will state consider gay rights law?
146 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
117 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
103
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
I say get rid of the food tax and get the money by raising property taxes,...
We see that the government bank is Ally (pronounced (A Lie). Our tax dollars...
Rest in peace, Aaron. The world is a darker place without you.
JD was the only team to beat Springville this year and they will be playing...
Consider this. The owner of this particular dog provided no proof of rabies...
I love the disgust on Corso's face as he throws the helmet. It pretty much...
Chump change for ACORN (and other demo nuts).
As I look at the picture of this child, I thank the powers that be, and how...
my, my so many experts ready to pass judgement on someone you never knew, sad!
Let's see what coach Sloan does with the 2 big guys tonight. We'll see if he...


You can be the first to comment on this story.