aE ROE N the seem- ngly frequent school shootings last year, and the latest shooting in an L.A. daycare, parents returning their children to school next week have some lin- yering concerns about school safety. In fact, in many schools across the continent, educa- tors have spent their sum- mers on safety and security issues, not English and math issues. Parents are insisting that schools take every pre- caution possible to halt the possibility of danger to their children. T read an article ina recent Time magazine (Aug. 23) which outlined the secu- rity systems and practices being implemented in some American schools. Enclosed fencing, outside and inside surveillance cameras, ran- dom on-the-spot drug test- ing, student identification badges, metal detectors at the front doors, 2 and fuil- time security people are just a few of the measures being taken by some schools, and in che most extreme cases, are all included in the same school. Businesses wishing to exploit the fears of parents are only too anxious to demonstrate the risks our children take in attending school and the systems they have to minimize that risk. Fear-mongering is good business for security firms. Grah am Facts, as mundane as they may be, paint a different picture. In the U.S., where violence in schools appears to be a daily occurrence in the media, over 90% of all schools surveyed reported no incidents of violence in the 1997/98 school year. In fact, fess than 1% of all acts of vialence committed against students actually happened at school, Turns out schools are a lot safer for kids than homes and neighbourhoods. Then there’s the facts about individuals who com- mit violence in schools. Often these students have a long history of social isola- tion or unusual behaviour. Although everyone is initial- ly surprised when such acts occur, on reflection they are not that surprised by who commits them. In other words, there is usually knowledge of who is in trouble or under stress, but not always enough rcsources to support inter- vention. Some teens must deal with their crises and suffer alone, and when they snap, there's lors of hand- wringing to go around, but north shore news Hittle to be done after the faet, Schools are, for che most part, pretty sate places to be. However, parents and teach- ers need to recognize that the best way to prevent vio- lence is to Know their chil- dren, intervene when they are stressed and suck help if they are showing serious signs of withdrawal or dra- matic changes in behaviour or school performance. Better to err on the side of counselling nothing more than a phase than to assume difficulties are only a phase and ignore them uatil they boil over into a desperate act for attention. All the security devices in the world cannot stop the random act of a seriausly disturbed person. White 1 am not suggesting that ade- quate security measures should not be included in any school plan, such mea- sures, by themselves, will not make a school risk- proof, The greatest first line of defense is caring parents and teachers who under- stand that young people are not invulnerable, need attention and guidance and benefit from empathy and kindness. As a new school year starts, perhaps cach of us, as members of our school com- munity, needs to ask what we can do for our children and tor others in the school, to provide the support that will make our schools safe — places for everyone. — Graham Hovikey is the #£PARENTAL GUIDANCE author of Parenting Is A Team Sport @vahoo.com). Pow od gtr) (ahookey Wednesday, September 1, 1999 — Nerth Shore News — 27 anh g eft + ot ty WEDNESDAYS Drop-in Summer stories, songs, fingerplays and puppets for the whole family. Wednesdays and Fridays to Sept. 3, at 10:30 a.m., W.V. Memorial Library. For more information call 925-7408. Storytime: A half hour of 4 Apply Now For ... Fall Semester Sept. 13 ~ Dec. 17, 1999 4) FIRST & SECCHD YEAR UHIVERSITY TRANSFER PROGRAMS in Aris, Business, Computer Science, Science. All courses are recognized for transfer credit by UBC, SFU and UVic. See more page 28 HIGH SCHGOL DIFLOMA PROGRAM An accelerated Grade 13/12 program for students preparing for university entrance, For further information, contact The Admission Office COLUMBIA COLLEGE 500-555 Seymour Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B 619 Tel 604 683 8360 Fax 604 682 7191 wwucolumbiacollege.be.ca REGISTRATION: In-person registration on Sept. 10, 1999. Late registration ends Sept. 17, 1999. ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS offered to well qualified local students, ENGLISH STUDIES PROGRAM (ESL) An intensive multi-level ESL program for academic, social, or professional purposes. TOEFL & Cambridge Preparation. TOEIC & Business English. Monthly entry for ESL Programs. Classes commence Aug. 34, Sept. 27, Oct. 25 and Nov. 27. 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