School Shootings: What Can We Learn?

You’ve probably already heard of what has happened recently in Florida, along with the 18 other shootings this year. But what can we do to help? I think at the very least we should talk about it. I’m sure mostly everyone knows what happened, if not in Florida, then at previous locations such as Sandy Hook. We here at the Talon Times newspaper are already trying to spread awareness for this tragic event. Mrs. Mayhew is reaching out to all of the students to write cards and letters to the families, students, and teachers of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. If you want to write something, please see Mrs. Mayhew.

This article isn’t to blame, but to comfort and learn. We must help ourselves and each other. We need to learn ways to protect ourselves, and how we can change they way things are happening here. There is an active debate on gun laws, whether we should have them or not. It would be dangerous to have guns in the class because there is always the chance for students could get to them or the ammunition no matter how well it is locked and that could lead to very serious problems. If we place weapons into the hands of teachers, who’s to say they won’t try anything? With the way certain teachers treat students, how do we know they won’t get more serious? We are all human and never know when our emotions will get the better of us, trained or not.

Many events have been planned in support of finding a solution to having safe schools and no more mass shootings. Schedule below:

• The Women’s March Youth EMPOWER group is planning a national school walkout on March 14, 2018 at 10 a.m. in every time zone. The goal is to encourage teachers, administrators, students, parents, and supporters to walk out for 17 minutes (one minute for every person killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School).
• March 24, 2018 at 10 a.m. students and supports of Life and Gun Safety are planning a march in D.C. to call for school safety and gun control.
• There will be a walk out on April 20th, the 19th anniversary of the shooting at Columbine, at 10 a.m. - the end of the school day encouraging students to stay on campus in silence for the 17 murdered in Florida and the 20 in Sandy Hook and the numerous others that have been killed or injured due to gun violence. It is recommended that students have an opportunity for an open mic to reveal their feelings related to the issues.

These rallies are to raise awareness for increased gun control and school safety measures. We are looking to raise awareness any way we can. These people need to be stopped! Innocent people are dying and we need to work together to catch people who feel the need to commit these crimes before they do and help them. IF you have any ideas, please contact Mrs. Mayhew (laura.garon@pgcps.org), or contact me on my school email, diana-morales@pgcps.org.

-Diana Morales