Gun violence near our schools needs to stop in Philadelphia. Can we go home in peace? Is it Safe? Are we protected? The questions we ask today are still in question. Every day students should be able to feel safe in our neighborhoods and in school. We shouldn't have to look over our shoulders to see if someone is going to hurt us, kidnap us, or worse.
We should be able to come to school without being hit by a bullet or being injured by one. We should get here safely to school every day. We can't even have a football game or any extracurricular activities after school because of the shootings going on near our schools. In the past 2 years, 2020 has been the worst.
Over 250 students have been killed that year because of a school shooting or at a school event. Also, I feel like high schools are being more targeted than elementary or middle schoolers.
On September 26, 2022, 5 students that attend Roxborough High School were fatally shot at an after-school scrimmage against Northeast High School. I forgot to mention my cousin scrimmaged against Roxborough high school in a football game. Now, what would've happened if my cousin was shot leaving the football game? Who would've been there to protect him?
But on November 23, 2022, four Overbrook High School students in Philadelphia were shot shortly after classes were dismissed for Thanksgiving break.
Also, the students that attend Carver High School aren't safe either because of school shootings.
On November 14th our school Principal, Dr. Johnson sent out an email stating that we had to do a “lock-in” because of an incident that happened on 17th and Cecil B Moore.
But That's not all. We received another email from Principle Johnson stating that we had to be on lockdown because Police reported a shooting in the area of 18th and Norris.
I spoke with a few of our students and staff about how they feel about gun violence near our schools.
After speaking with a few students and staff I asked them how they feel about gun violence surrounding our schools. Student Janiyah Baylor stated how she felt about it and she said “Gun violence is becoming such a common thing that people have become desensitized to it. When in reality, a true reality should not be normal because it’s not. Life is too precious for someone to die from gun violence almost every day”.
I also asked her: Do you feel like the PPD (Philadelphia Police Department) should do more to help not just Carver but Other High schools that are struggling with gun violence? And she said “absolutely”. I also asked some staff about how they felt. Teacher Mr.Mandell stated that “guns are used by people with low self-esteem and limited conflict resolution skills”.
I also asked Mr.Mandell “As a teacher here at Carver what do you recommend to students to be safe going home from school?” He said “ I do recommend that students take extra precautions. I do this through Google Classroom by posting comments early in the morning. For instance, I remind students to take their earbuds off so they can be aware of what's going on around them.”
What I recommend to my peers going home from school is to stay safe. Be careful of your surroundings. Go home after school, even if you're not going home let your parents know where you are going. Let them know who you are with because it is not safe for any child to go home. Anything can happen. Also parents need to also do their part as a parent as well follow up with their children. Make sure your child is safe. If they can't ride the bus home, pick them up at a certain location and time. Because it's not just the child's fault the parents play a part in it as well.
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