Having
Your Say: Kirsten Johl on School Violence
May
4, 2001
Great
article Eve! I really enjoyed finding out what others are
doing in their schools! I forgot to tell you that we do have
D.A.R.E. for 5th graders that addresses both drugs and
violence, plus the kids get Health education which addresses
all the factors and issues that deal with violence, including
stress, abuses of all kinds, and social/economic factors.
I
guess the real difference between my school and the others (in
your article) is that it is an elementary school. Although
there have been incidences across the nation in the lower
grades, most grade schools try to push the communication of
appropriate behaviors and peer mediation teams. This happens
daily at the classroom level with consequences enforced by
school wide guidelines. We haven't got a special program that
is school wide for our kids, maybe we should. Parent
involvement is essential, but not always possible especially
in the lower income neighborhoods where many work 3 jobs just
to pay the rent.
The
other thing that is often not said is that the skills needed
to communicate across social, cultural, and/or religious lines
often escapes us. When setting laws and enforcing them we
undertake a moral/ethical value based mission that often
cannot be communicated in a way that is easily understood by
all. Then of course the counter argument could be that
wouldn't anyone understand the need to not have murderous
rampages and violent physical aggression, or even verbal
assaults upon our children? The truth is that nearly all of us
rational adults from every walk of life want the best for our
children. We want safe and protected environments in
which they can learn and grow. It is how we communicate that
to our children in a healthy and rational way so as to empower
them that becomes the crux of this matter. The days of
"because I said so" are gone and good riddance to
them. We need to teach with due thought to the magnamity of
the situation, both as parents and educators, the children are
our future. If we say, " Because I said so," then so
will they?
Our
children need to be able to problem solve real life situations
with real life solutions...using good thinking and personal
ethics and beliefs...not "blinders on," old school,
do what everyone else is doing, "cause they said so"
actions. We do not need more lemmings in our society! Each
and every human being on this earth needs to adopt an
acceptance of becoming proactive, responsive and assertive.
Currently we are mostly reactive, punitive, and aggressive.
And we need to remember that we all are human. Be
forgiving we all have faults, differences, fears, and needs.
We need to have patience the winds of change are
blowing...communicate your need and allow it to circulate in
the currents and be heard. And listen when the echoes of what
you've said come back on the winds through the small voices of
our children.
Thanks,
Kirsten Johl
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