tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114029387198642467.post3366492654801540589..comments2024-01-22T22:05:31.065-08:00Comments on Musing for Amusement: Illinois School ShootingJamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437524476855271612noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114029387198642467.post-62754435702937284712008-02-17T08:04:00.000-08:002008-02-17T08:04:00.000-08:00A hilarious way to end your thought-provoking blog...A hilarious way to end your thought-provoking blog post. And you're right--that kind of teaching won't help anyone's self deevlopment or teach respect for oneself and their peers.<BR/><BR/>The problems do develop at home, as well as created within the school itself because of rejection from popular culture, isolation, etc. As with Columbine, there were many warning signs at home before the boys attacked the high school. They would hang out after school and write hate letters on the internet, shoot target practice in the woods, create hate videos, etc. Where were the parents? Or is it not fair to blame parents of independent teenagers?<BR/><BR/>Anyway, you prove very good points, but, as you know too, it's hard to increase parental involvement in students' lives. We can do what we can on our part in the school, but it's difficult to rely on help at home. It simply just can't be done... but how can we even jumpstart it to happen? I have no idea.<BR/><BR/>Funny how RESPECT Day ties into it, huh? My mom actually told me that she doesn't know if they're discontinuing the program (but I'm pretty sure I heard them announce it), but anyway, Shen has been faced with many bomb threats and shootings. When Columbine happened, a list of the top 100 schools that could have a similar attack happen. Shen was in the top 100. Thus, I think RESPECT Day is huge to help counteract this. Respect your peers. Respect their talents. Promote love within divided peers (because of the huge social differences between cliques). <BR/><BR/>Maybe small starts like this will do something, even if it's small. Even small things will contribute in the long run, or perhaps build up to better ideas that will help.Jamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09437524476855271612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114029387198642467.post-14536701454989619762008-02-16T11:45:00.000-08:002008-02-16T11:45:00.000-08:00I see issues like this in this way: There's a sort...I see issues like this in this way: <BR/><BR/>There's a sort of heirarchy of prevention that can take place... and gun control is kind of like the band-aid solution.<BR/><BR/>Obviously, certain criminals are not allowed to register or buy a firearm, but it's simply unconstitutional to limit guns based on mood swings, personalities, or likelihood of misuse of the firearm... So obviously, gun control's not gonna solve the issue of school shootings...<BR/><BR/>Schools need to look so much deeper into the issue than just making sure that kids don't bring guns to school. The schools try... with bullying awareness programs and teambuilding and whatever else, but it's obviously not working. <BR/><BR/>Many of the school shootings that we have heard about have resulted from bullying: the shooter feels downtrodden, helpless, and hurt, and the only effective form of retaliation, in their eyes, is a drastic measure. <BR/><BR/>Much of the responsibility rests in the hands of parents, also. A child's adolescence is part home, and part school. So, even if an educational Utoptia is someday created, that's only half the battle for kids- their home life needs to be solidified as well.<BR/><BR/>THIS is exactly why programs like the RESPECT day at your school are soooo vitally important. I feel sick right now thinking about this... all of the senseless things that have been happening lately... deaths from drag racing accidents, school shootings... It's all so stupid and unnecessary.<BR/><BR/>I think it comes from recklessness with our lives. We are somehow losing an appreciation for the intricateness and valuableness of ourselves... not to be confused with self-absorption or conceitedness. Look at the young girls who dress like tramps begging for attention... kids make reckless decisions... it all comes with a lack of respect for their own bodies, their own minds.<BR/><BR/>So the question is... how can we, as mere high school teachers, change this behavior? What can we do to provoke students to find value in their lives? <BR/><BR/>Here's a hint... it's definately NOT by shoving past participles and Shakespeare down their throats.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04246110332811243777noreply@blogger.com