Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 11, 1990 TAG: 9003092106
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By Waide Robinson
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Parents, students, teachers, administrators and the community rarely perceived that a national or Robinson global issue concerning school violence would affect them directly. However, I have always been especially thankful for the media's involvement in the reporting of school violence so that many concerns will be brought to light.
The majority of parents today watching television are often consumed with many global and domestic affairs. However, many parents
According to a report published in February 1977 by U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh's subcommittee to investigate juvenile delinquency, violence and destructive behavior are not found exclusively in larger cities or in lower income school divisions. While not every school suffers from serious violence and vandalism, no school can take the attitude that it is immune because of geographic location or affluence.
The television commercial asking "Is it real or is it Memorex?" takes on a distinct meaning when related to school violence. As television sets are viewed during the six o'clock news, numerous stories such as the following can be seen:
\ December 1985, Connecticut: A 13-year-old junior high school student held another student hostage, killed the custodian and wounded the principal and his secretary before he surrendered to police.
\ May 1986, North Carolina: Three high school students were wounded as another student opened fire with an automatic handgun in a crowded school hallway.
\ March 1987, Santa Anna, Calif.: A woman entered an elementary school classroom and fatally shot herself in the head as 27 pupils watched.
\ December 1987, Virginia Beach: A man drove a truck in front of an elementary school and fatally shot himself in the head as a class of sixth-grade pupils watched through their classroom window.
\ February 1988, Pinellas County, Fla.: An assistant principal was fatally wounded and another administrator was seriously injured in a shooting that involved a 15-year-old student.
\ January 1989, Washington: Four students leaving high school were shot by two non-students after an argument over a cafeteria seat.
\ March 1989, Fairfax County: A 9-year-old girl was raped at knife point by an outsider who had entered the school through unlocked doors.
The response to seeing this type of violence on television is mixed but normally doesn't affect the viewer's attitude toward his school or his child's safety. It is often said that this type of violence could never happen in our school or division. We have a safe haven here, and our community displays trust, dedication and moral integrity.
School violence is real and poses a greater danger in the 1990s. Whether from television, radio or newspaper, the statistics continue to grow. School violence is no longer a stranger in paradise but a silhouette of destruction confronting all school divisions. In addition, violence has destroyed the dreams and hopes of many students, parents and teachers. It shouldn't have to shock or alarm us into preparing for a safer school. Therefore, we need to consider the following actions:
\ 1. Mandate safe-school plans in all school divisions.
\ 2. Involve as many people as possible - administrators, teachers, students, parents, community agencies and businesses.
\ 3. Require safety orientation annually for all students, teachers, administrators and support personnel.
\ 4. Strive to maintain a positive school climate based on the relationship between staff and students.
According to the National School Safety Center, unsafe school conditions can disrupt the learning environment so severely that students and teachers are unable to focus their full attention on academic goals.
Unfortunately, serious crime, including violence, drug trafficking and abuse, truancy, vandalism, bullying and discipline problems are present in many of the nation's public and private schools. These serious issues must be addressed by school administrators and communities.
I am not advocating armed guards or uniformed police on campus but a greater awareness on the part of students, parents, teachers, the community and all school officials. It is imperative that those who choose to lead our young people be knowledgeable, trained and prepared with contingency plans for a safe school environment.
by CNB