Violence in Our School, Essay Example

Every time a violent tragedy occurs in our schools, the police, the parents, the schools and others brainstorm about what else could be done to keep the children and staff safe.

The Columbine shootings in 1999 and the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 have been catalysts for policies and procedures to make our schools safer.  Metal detectors began to be used in an effort to keep weapons out of schools. Although they have generally had a positive effect,   some cannot, for example, detect weapons inside big backpacks of thick material. To try and overcome this problem, some schools have specified types of material and sizes for backpacks, while others have banned them altogether. Still other schools have surveillance cameras installed, unused areas locked, and security guards inside and outside their schools.

Students in some schools must wear uniforms and identification tags so that intruders may be identified more easily.  Also, in some schools visitors must first check in at the main office, some being issued a temporary identification pass.

Students can be taught things to try and keep safe. Teachers should take periodic courses to help them to try and identify violent offenders and to handle them should the unthinkable occur.  The courts must also keep on being involved.

Violence in the schools is  not only a safety issue but also a deterrent to those students who appreciate and desperately want a good education.