Yesterday I participated in the moment of silence for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. And I think we all needed that moment of silence to re-gather our thoughts and try to wrap our minds around such horrific events. My heart aches for all the survivors and the families of the victims.
But today I feel more like talking....
If you've had enough of the school shooting discussion, I completely understand. We all grieve and deal with tragedy in different ways. Today you will probably see my ramblings here and they may not even make sense. I can't even claim ownership of what I say here because I am still so confused. This is more therapy for me than anything.
How could this happen? How could this happen in the greatest country in the world? What kind of person could not only kill others....but kill babies? And....the most frightening question: What exactly would I do if put in the same situation as the faculty at Sandy Hook?
The thoughts and questions are overwhelming! I have spent the better part of the weekend with a heavy heart. Today, as I returned to school with my little ones, my heavy heart lifted. I mean life does go on. We have a job to do. We have little ones to teach and we are such a big part of their little lives.
The more details I read about, the more I feel confused. The reality of what those children endured is almost too much for me to contemplate. And the hopelessness their teachers must have felt is unthinkable (even while acting as heroes down to the last minute).......
When did things change in our country? When did it become SUCH an unsafe place?
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And the question that no one seems to agree on: How can we keep our kids safe?
Some say gun control laws need to be strengthened, some say no.
Some say teachers should have guns in the classroom, some say no. (BTW, I cannot fathom having a gun in my kindergarten classroom. I couldn't. I wouldn't.)
Some say locks, metal detectors, Raptor systems, and police officers at school is the answer.
Do we want to admit that these kinds of events are "normal" and "bound to happen" therefore we need to prepare for them? Or, do we stand by passively and blindly hoping and praying it never happens again?
I try to think of things through parent eyes (since I am a mom). What would I want my children's school to be like. In an ideal world, their schools would be open and welcome to parents. I wouldn't have to show id, I could float by my child's classroom and eat lunch with him/her. However, if I have complete access to my child's school, how many other people have the same kind of access?
I don't claim to have answers. I am more confused now than I was before Friday.
It's all so confusing and heartbreaking....GOD, shouldn't our children just be OFF-LIMITS?!?!??!!?
I am sooo confused too Jeannie!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your feelings and the pictures of those beautiful children! This tragedy has touched the world!
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls
I don't know if there is an answer. I think we are a NOW ME society. We want things now. We have forgotten manners. We insult behind a computer screen. We mock the weak. Guns are not bad people are bad. Why is it harder to get a puppy than a baby or a gun??
ReplyDeleteI don't want my girls to be in a prison. I don't want them to be worried when they are at school. I wish there were more brave parents like the one in Missouri who turned her son in before he had carried out his plan. We have to be viligient with our children and their activities.
Read Genesis. Sin is a part of our world and bad things happen to everyone. Sad to say our world has many evil things. If someone wants to attack our schools they will find a way with or without guns. ( I don't want one in my classroom either...yikes) I keep praying and trust in God to help me through any tragedy that comes my way. I also know that if my time comes I have a wonderful eternal home:)
ReplyDeleteThere are no easy answers :( And I think your post is so right on with what we all feel now. It was so sad seeing our admins go through the building checking for safety equipment. There was a somber mood in our building all day. I closed my locked door and left it that way all day. We have a keep the door locked policy, so my students did not ask questions about why. We are accustomed to keeping our door locked because of restraining orders, etc. It does give me some sense of safety, but still...if an intruder wants in...I think we lost a lot of innocence last Friday, both on student and teachers' parts. Thank you for saying what we all would say.
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend, you share the same sentiments that many of us feel and can not seem to put into words. I only know that my way of dealing with this is to throw myself into assuring that my kinder friends have one final week of fun, games, play and all those things that make them kids before the Christmas break. At a time when we are constantly hearing more standards, higher achievement . . . more more more, I need to experience theirs and my own children's JOY. I'm focusing on JOY! Anyway and everyway I can make it happen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering us a way to share our thoughts Jeannie.
Marsha
A Differentiated Kindergarten
Thanks Jeannie for your post! I too have many of the same feelings.
ReplyDeleteSo sad! So senseless!
I too could not imagine having a gun at school. Goodness I have a hard time having a knife in my class hidden high on a shelf where I only go.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming weeks with regards to schools and safety (and guns.)
Jeannie. I think it's important and significant for us each to attempt to articulate our insight in the aftermath. I am grateful for your courage in sharing your thoughts. I have attempted to do the same, gather some reflection. We move forward together.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Clement