Monday, April 8, 2013

violence prevention team

this fall, there was a significant round of shootings going on in the neighborhood where my flatland school is. a few people died, a few people cried...and students were traumatized having to deal with family members being injured, dead or in jail. the students feared for their safety walking to school. i went into many classrooms and had discussions with the students and teachers about how this was impacting them and in one class, the students wanted to do something about it. i smile as i think about how they began coming up with tons of ideas on what to do and how to combat violence. they wanted action. so their amazing teacher, and myself, decided to help them start a "violence prevention team" where they met up and brainstormed ideas to help educate community members on how violence was affecting them, how to make signs for awareness, and what to do at school to help. they had amazing ideas, that included selling baked goods to fundraise for supplies, "VPT" t-shirts, and they made signs that said "no guns here," with pictures of circles and guns crossed out. they participated in a discussion with the local authorities on safety in their neighborhood, becoming patrollers and what to do if they are confronted with violence. in the wake of the sandyhook shooting in connecticut, it continued to be relevant in these students' lives. they could relate to the children thousands of miles away. but in fact, it was unfortunately, just another day for these children who have learned to become so detached from violence because that is one way to cope. after this national tragedy, i was expecting an outpouring of grief in my office. but none of the students presented as traumatized by this, because, it happens to them or near them much of the year. today, a few months later, as they prepare for end of the year exams and testing, it is relevant. they live and breath different forms of violence and unfortunately it seeps into everyday interactions. the teachers come to school and starting at 8:30 are battling numerous barriers to inculcate some sort of learning into the brains of students that have been exposed to repetitive and chronic stress and trauma. i admire teachers more than can come across in writing. so i hope the students and community can gather some inspiration from each other as they battle a monster much bigger than just gun control. it starts with one. but the drive and motivation must be there. the students in the VPT show that they have drive and motivation, hopefully it rubs off on the adults.