Gun violence has become an all-too-familiar headline in recent years, tearing communities apart and irreversibly changing lives forever. We are, and have been, living in an environment where the safety of young adults and children are constantly under threat, yet the school is reluctant to fight back. Jackson-Reed high school has proven to have joined the microcosm of this national crisis.
In the wake of recent tragedies involving gun violence, it is disheartening to see schools failing to address the pressing issue of gun control. There is a rising, unsettling situation at Jackson Reed High School, where two students tragically lost their lives to gun violence and an on-campus shooting occurred in the past year. These incidents have deeply impacted the entire school community, leaving students in fear and mourning.
While it is commendable that the school administration has taken steps to address the issue of gun violence and control behind the scenes as well as honoring the students lost, it is crucial that they include the students themselves in these conversations. By excluding students from the discussions, the administration inadvertently perpetuates an uncomfortable and unsafe environment for its students.
In any educational environment, it is crucial for schools to take an active role in educating students about the implications of gun violence and keeping students safe. Tragically, JRHS has remained silent on these matters. Our school carries the responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of its students, both inside and outside the classroom. By neglecting to actively involve students in discussions about gun control and preventions, or striving even more to raise awareness on the pressing issue within our community, our school has been neglecting this fundamental obligation. The school administration is failing to empower and support the very individuals who are evidently shown to be one of the most affected by such tragic events: us.
Addressing the issue head-on can encourage students, teachers, and parents to recognize the signs of potential violence and take appropriate action to prevent such incidents. By excluding students from these important conversations, the school is missing an opportunity to educate and raise awareness among the very individuals who need it most.
At the very least, the school could have engaged with the entire school community through holding a sort of assembly or a town hall meeting where everyone can come together and reflect on the pressing issue of gun violence. This would provide a platform for students to share their thoughts, concerns, and experiences, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity. School administrators, counselors, and local law enforcement could be present to provide information, guidance, and resources on recognizing warning signs and reporting potential threats.
This is only one of the many ways our administration could have been more involved, and still can. By actively involving the entire school community in these discussions and educational initiatives, Jackson Reed High School would demonstrate its commitment to the safety and well-being of its students. It would also empower students to become advocates for change, be aware of, and take an active role in preventing future incidents of gun violence.
The inaction of our school is not only disappointing, but it is also a betrayal of the trust we have placed in them. We deserve better. We deserve a school that prioritizes the safety and well-being of its students above all else. It is time for the administration to step up, acknowledge the urgency of this issue, and take the necessary measures to address gun control and create a secure learning environment. Our lives and our futures are at stake, and we deserve more than empty promises and silence from those in charge.
