LET’S IMPROVE OUR CHILDREN LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

INTRODUCTION: Thanks to Principal, Mr. Don Smith for allowing me here to present to you, parents and teachers the proposal of improving the school violence this evening.

Since the 1999 massacre of a teacher and 12 students killed at the Columbine High school, we have been hearing more about school violence incidents including shooting lately.  According to David Finklehor, director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, the chances for school shooting were less than one in a million.  Although it is low probability for students being killed at school, we ought to step up to improve our children-learning environment in order to nourish a brighter new generation.

Some people commented that parents should not worry too much about school shooting.  Nonetheless, it was heart breaking to see the traumatized young students and teachers running for life on television.  It was hard watching the news without sorrow, especially when seeing the dead bodies of victimized students were removed from the scene at Newtown, Connecticut a few months ago.   We should take action before the situation gets worse.  As President Obama once stated in his speech, "This is our first task—caring for our children. It’s our first job. If we don’t get that right, we don’t get anything right. That’s how, as a society, we will be judged."

Please show your hand for those of you parents who would want your child to be one of the victims in school shooting.  For you teachers, would you like to teach in a safe environment, and to nurture our next generation properly?  

 

Gun control is currently one of the hot topics that we hear every day.  Many of us agree that gun licensing should be tightened up.  More important is that gun owners should be inspected often, so they can prove that they are capable of keeping their guns from accessed by their young children.  From the recent gun shooting cases, the offenders were relatively young age.  Apparently, some families own guns but fail to keep the guns from being snatched by their children.

While more states in America enact gun control law, parents and teachers can join force to improve students learning environment as well.  It is important to pay attention to children development, as it was believed that cold-blood killer was not born violent.  However, the odd character could have been developed over time and through the distressed growing environment.  Instances of kids bullying at school are common in our neighborhood.  Therefore, parents at home, and teachers at school can teach and shape the young children properly.    

Counseling and anger management classes are vital.  Spend time and let the child talk out while he or she goes through stress.  Find out a way to solve the issue together with the distressed child.  Young kids are to learn and handle their frustrations, so they do not develop the violent attribute while growing up.

Finally, despite tight budgets, schools should strengthen security by adding safety gates or patrolling guards during school hours.  Please sign up, support the “Safe-School Environment” movement in our city, and provide our children a safe learning environment to grow and build up their bright future!