So many posts deleted. Even very civil responses and anecdotes.

Anonymous wrote:I live in the South where everyone and their brother have a gun.

People claim that it’s their right to own a gun and it’s their freedom at stake.

What kind of freedom is it when our kids schools have bullet proof glass, metal detectors, are patrolled by armed men and the kids are taught that anyone can come and shoot at them any day (constant active shooter drills)? How is it we feel free and safe?

What is the problem with bullet proof glass and metal detectors? In what way do they burden the students? Please explain. And don’t say anything touchy feely about “the allure of freedom.”

I live in the South where everyone and their brother have a gun.

People claim that it’s their right to own a gun and it’s their freedom at stake.

What kind of freedom is it when our kids schools have bullet proof glass, metal detectors, are patrolled by armed men and the kids are taught that anyone can come and shoot at them any day (constant active shooter drills)? How is it we feel free and safe?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about instead of relying on militarized tactics, schools emphasize community building, mentorship, ongoing mediation, mindfulness, etc.?

I am also a teacher, btw.

I agree with this, but it takes time. Schools need resources to cultivate these things. People will need to pay higher taxes.

Not necessarily. I'd like to see the numbers for what would happen if we scaled down armed officers, stopped buying surplus military equipment from Iraq/Afghanistan wars, and basically demilitarized the police. I think that if we stopped equipping every small town police force in the country with actualfacts tanks, we could save quite a bit of money.

Anonymous wrote:My last high school had two social workers, counselors, and psychologists assigned to each grade. We had wraparound services including a clinic, daycare, and elective programs like automotive, cosmetology, and barber programs. We had four behavior techs on each floor who were trained to deal with kids suffering from trauma, unarmed security, and police officers in the building. We STILL had 4-5 fights every single day, and at least one of those each week was a large brawl involving anywhere from 10-40 students. Teachers have been accidentally pepper sprayed, trampled, and punched trying to get out of the way of these fights. Until we take care of the problems at home, it won't matter what we do at school.

How does retraumatizing these kids at school help with the trauma that they bring from home?

Anonymous wrote:For the Parkland poster.

That was a psyop. Like Sandy hook. Lay off that koolaid. For your health’s sake.

Are you denying that Parkland and Sandy Hook happened? Please say yes so I can report you.

Anonymous wrote:My last high school had two social workers, counselors, and psychologists assigned to each grade. We had wraparound services including a clinic, daycare, and elective programs like automotive, cosmetology, and barber programs. We had four behavior techs on each floor who were trained to deal with kids suffering from trauma, unarmed security, and police officers in the building. We STILL had 4-5 fights every single day, and at least one of those each week was a large brawl involving anywhere from 10-40 students. Teachers have been accidentally pepper sprayed, trampled, and punched trying to get out of the way of these fights. Until we take care of the problems at home, it won't matter what we do at school.

I think school can make a difference, but we need to address trauma, housing instability and drug addiction as well. Many schools are now giving parents services which they need.

My last high school had two social workers, counselors, and psychologists assigned to each grade. We had wraparound services including a clinic, daycare, and elective programs like automotive, cosmetology, and barber programs. We had four behavior techs on each floor who were trained to deal with kids suffering from trauma, unarmed security, and police officers in the building. We STILL had 4-5 fights every single day, and at least one of those each week was a large brawl involving anywhere from 10-40 students. Teachers have been accidentally pepper sprayed, trampled, and punched trying to get out of the way of these fights. Until we take care of the problems at home, it won't matter what we do at school.

My school's SRO has been awesome. He plays saxophone in the school jazz band, always trying to get to know students. He has also been able to respond immediately to serious situations (guns in parking lot and playground next to school).

The SRO program was part of the Clinton era commnity policing program, initially funded with DOJ grants. The idea was to have officers who were specially trained in working with kids and who would develop relationships with the kids so they knew who was at risk and could spot problems before they became bigger problems. The idea also was to give kids a positive interaction with law enforcement to help break down the distrust between communities. Usually officers volunteer for the position because they have an interest in working with youth. But obviously it’s all in the execution. If the officers aren’t well trained or don’t have an aptitude for working with youth, then it doesn’t work.
And, based on my experience with MCPS playground aides and security guards, I am not optimistic that they would be a better option.

Resource people at one of the W schools such a waste. At one time they got fired for doing something shady. Also, some Montomgery County police hang with the wrestling coach and football coach, sit around doing nothing.

This particular school needs an overhaul of these particular people.

For the Parkland poster.

That was a psyop. Like Sandy hook. Lay off that koolaid. For your health’s sake.

Anonymous wrote:How about instead of relying on militarized tactics, schools emphasize community building, mentorship, ongoing mediation, mindfulness, etc.?

I am also a teacher, btw.

I agree with this, but it takes time. Schools need resources to cultivate these things. People will need to pay higher taxes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, they are trained emergency responders and carry radios. When seconds count, you'll want your SRO to call 911.

You mean like happened at Parkland?

Didn’t the school police officer hide in his car when he realized what was happening???

Anonymous wrote:How about instead of relying on militarized tactics, schools emphasize community building, mentorship, ongoing mediation, mindfulness, etc.?

I am also a teacher, btw.

Restorative justice doesn’t end well.