I get that there are valid concerns, but is arming teachers and turning small children into "mini soldiers" really the answer? I'm thinking not.
While I shouldn't be surprised, I couldn't believe my eyes as I watched the news the other day. One story was about a very unique private school that's been created in the states, New Mexico I think. In the wake of the many school shootings that seem to be on the rise south of the Canadian border, this school has opted to take action - military like action to be more precise.
Ever since the 1999 massacre at Columbine High, reportedly schools in many states have been required by law to have emergency management plans which include lock down drills for dealing with a violent intrusion. There's also a program called "A.L.I.C.E. that's been implemented in many schools that teaches children to respond aggressively when threatened. A.L.I.C.E. stands for alert, lock down, inform, counter, evacuate.
Okay....
There has been plenty of issues surrounding violence in American schools. People have died and there is genuine fear, so naturally many are seeking a solution. Most don't seem to want to explore the concept of restricting guns - so why not arm people with more?
Hmmm...
The private school I mentioned is not only arming it's teachers but students go through daily training which includes everything from learning how to attack, to firing a hand gun. Instead of fire drills, kids are subject to mock attacks - from Kindergarten age and up.
There's a big difference between being alert, cautious and prepared versus being paranoid, over reactive and always thinking the worst. By all means take preventative measures and encourage safety, but should that really mean being on guard and uptight, planning for disaster 24/7?
When do kids have the chance to be kids? What happened to recess, swing sets and hopscotch? While children need to be aware of dangers, more so now than ever, should they really be burdened with worrying about disaster above all else?
"It strikes me as an overreaction and potentially dangerous," says one psychologist. (Agreed) "School shootings are extremely rare. The odds of a student becoming a victim are 1 in 2.5 million. The odds of getting struck by lightning? One in 700,000."
I truly do understand the fear, but seriously, this is taking things too far.
