Feeling a loss of school safety

First of two stories on how the atmosphere of safety in schools has eroded, and what is being done to secure local campuses.

In the aftermath of the latest mass school shooting, school districts in the Five Towns are addressing the issues of security and safety in order to better protect their students and staffs, while trying to maintain a welcoming atmosphere.

The killing of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14, not only ignited a nationwide movement calling for change in gun laws, as seen at the March For Our Lives events on March 24, but also focused attention on how schools safeguard their buildings and campuses.

Since 2014, there have been 239 school shootings across the U.S., 16 of them categorized as mass shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Including Parkland, 438 people have been shot, and 138 have died. “It is a call for us to be very, very aware,” said Lawrence School District Superintendent Dr. Ann Pedersen. “We have to take care of our children, and we have to take care of all the children.”

Parents, children, teachers, school administrators and law enforcement sense that something has changed, and have become more aware that schools need enhanced security. Sandy Carl, the mother of Ashley Carl, a senior at Hewlett High School, said she never thought she would be this worried about school security. “With what is going on in schools today, unfortunately, I do not feel as safe as I used to,” Sandy said.

Last month, the Lawrence School District held two forums focusing on safety and security. One was part of the district’s Parent Like a Champion series of presentations. The March 19 workshop focused on what is called SOS — security, outreach and social skills — to address what parents should be aware of when their children either bully others or are victims of bullying. “Our children being in danger from other children is very sad and tragic,” Pedersen said, referring to both bullying and school shootings.

Parents watched a 10-minute video called “How To Make a Bully (From Scratch)” that explained how children typically develop into bullies or victims. It was based on information presented by Conscious Discipline, a classroom-management program. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the high school seniors who murdered a dozen students and one teacher and injured 21 other people during their 1999 rampage at Columbine High School in Colorado, cited being bullied in writings they left behind as the reason for their actions.

“Our children feel better about who they are if they have people at home and school supporting them,” said Randy Young, an independent educational consultant who spoke at the Parent Like a Champion workshop and noted the Social Emotional Learning curriculum used in Lawrence schools. “Children are mirrors. They reflect adult actions and thoughts.”

Social Emotional Learning helps students understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve positive goals, and feel and show empathy for others, while establishing and maintaining friendships and other constructive relationships.

Last month, Lawrence was one of several school districts that dealt with a threat of gun violence on the social media platform Instagram. Parents who learned of the threat informed the district, and in conjunction with the Nassau County Police Department’s 4th Precinct, the problem was resolved without any violence.

School safety was the topic of a forum that was part of a Lawrence High School Parent-Teacher Association meeting on March 28. “School is so different now then when I went to school,” said Pamela Makaea, president of the high school PTA. “I never had this — a loss of security, and the trauma so close to home.”

Inwood resident Manny Sanchez said he attended the March 19 forum because he wanted to learn what the district was doing to beef up safety. “There’s a lot of stress and anxiety because of what’s happening today and that Florida shooting,” said Sanchez, the father of a 6-year-old at the Lawrence Primary School and a 3-year-old in day care. “We have to get together and make sure everyone is safe.”

To watch “How To Make a Bully (From Scratch),” go to https://bit.ly/2GvRCSY. For more on Conscious Discipline, go to https://consciousdiscipline.com.

Next week: school security

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jbessen@liherald.com.