http://headlines.verizon.com/headlines/portals/headlines.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=headlines_portal_page__article&_article=3414668
Here is the link to this very sad story. My first reaction was one of astonishment and then prayer before I even read the article. My heart poured out for the two students that were injured (not seriously thankfully) and also for the six year old that brought the gun.
I find myself wondering so many things about this child and his life. Why did he bring the gun? How did he even have access to the gun? Is he going to be okay?
The article talks about the possibility of sending him to an alternative school for 180 days but no other punishment has been decided. For me that is the furthest thing on my mind for I cannot help but thinking first of helping this young child with the issues that led to today's event.
It breaks my heart that at school these days in addition to fire drills we know practice lock-down drills. How as educators do we approach these types of situations to help prevent them from happening in the first place? I try to imagine myself as a teacher in this school and the discussion I know that I will have to have with my students. How can I assure them that this will not happen again in their lives? I can tell them the precautions we try to take at the school but will it be enough?
I look at my beautiful granddaughter and it scares me what type of precautions will schools be taking in the six short years until she starts attending. DO we need to have the security guards with metal detectors at the bus stops and doors? DO we do a pat down or have the technology that is being used at airports? All I keep thinking about for these students is that instead of being greeted by a smiling staff member at the door they are being frisked for weapons.
Am I discouraged- maybe but I will do everything in my power to assure that my students feel safe and secure but more importantly loved and know that I care and that violence is not the answer.
I really do not like sharing this type of bad news but this is not the first article I have read about instances such as this. I remember weeping and holding my two young children when Columbine happened, praying this would never happen again. Now it seems to hardly make the national news.
Wow that is so sad. Especially a just a little guy like that, at least he didnt actually shoot the gun.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I had many of the same reactions when I read that article in this morning's paper. "WHY did a six year old bring a gun to school in the first place?" I huffed to my husband, who obviously didn't know the answer. I still wonder WHY. Why would a child, only six years old, have a gun; but also, why would he feel the need to be carrying it? Isn't there something else going on here?
ReplyDeleteI also am wondering these questions. It sounds to me like he didn't intend to hurt anyone with the gun, but how in the world would he have access to a gun at such a young age, or think that it is okay to bring it to school? What circumstances led up to him bringing it to school? There are more questions than answers in this sad story. I just pray that he is able to find the support he needs and is not branded a criminal from the very start of his school years, and then live up to that title. That would be the real tragedy in all of this.
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