Shootings in schools cause fear in many students as they return to the classroom. Schools are supposed to be a safe place for students. However, recent shooting makes students fearful of the classroom.
Shootings Cause Anxiety
Reports show that older students skip classes due to concern about a mass shooting. Previously, students thought about their actions ‘if’ a shooting happens. Now, students think about ‘when’ a shooting happens. They fear it is going to come about. They worry that once they return to class, a mass shooting will return to their school. Fear overcomes their excitement at various school activities and seeing their friends.
Unfortunately, students fear shootings over getting Covid-19. Studentss see the virus as something they can control with masks, social distance, and vaccines. They can’t control mass shootings. There is no protection from this act. The control lies with the politicians.
Parents Fear More Than Students
Parents, more than young students, fear mass shootings. Yet, young students pick up on fear from their parents. Parents worry about what their children see on the news, hear from peers, and feel about active shooter drills in schools.
Students feel less scared as parents and teachers talk about scary things. They need their questions answered. With school drills, students need to understand that they are a practice to help them stay safe. Students need to practice what to do to be safe.
Communities that gather friends and family together after a crisis help. They provide more resources to help students with their fear.
Routines are also important. Predictable routines reassure students and help them feel more secure.
Feeling Safe
Many schools create ways to make students feel safe after news of a shooting. Parents form groups that go into schools to greet students in the morning with high fives and hugs. These parents walk the halls while students are in class.
Other states allow teachers to carry a gun. Matthew Mayer, a professor at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education, states his research on arming teachers is a bad idea. He says, “because it invites numerous disasters and problems, and the chances of it actually helping are minuscule.”
Discussions center on safe schools focus on hardening schools with police and metal detectors. Educators and other experts feel the support needs to be on the social and emotional needs of students.
