By Nicole Falco
Lisa's question is one that isn't being discussed during television news broadcasts, in newspapers or by top government officials and analysts who speak to the media, but, nonetheless, it is still on the mind of at least one 11-year-old Valley Streamer.
David LeWinter assured his student that she didn't have to worry about that possibility, and reminded her that she is safe living on Long Island -- maybe even safer than she has ever been -- thanks to the stepped-up security measures taken after Sept. 11, 2001.
"I want to tell you, based on my belief in this country, that [the government] is doing everything they can to ensure the rights and freedoms we all enjoy," LeWinter said.
LeWinter led his class in a 45-minute current-events discussion Monday. The topic: war in Iraq. Although he answered students' questions and addressed their concerns, LeWinter was as careful as he could be not to inject opinion.
The subject was evidently on the minds of the approximately 30 students in LeWinter's class, as virtually every hand in the classroom shot up when the discussion began. The students had been asked to write "prompts," or essays, the weekend before about their feelings on the war, and then present them during class if they wanted to. LeWinter called the period a "sounding board" for the students.
"The insight that children can give to this [war] can sometimes go beyond the insight that adults would give," LeWinter told his class.
Following news of the start of the war last Wednesday night, many teachers and school administrators chose to address the events in their classrooms and offering support to those who might be affected. As the war progresses, school administrators say current events will be addressed as students bring them up.
"If a student brings up the war in math class, that will tell me it's an important enough subject to talk about," LeWinter said.
Students also learned about the history of Iraq and the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf War, during their social studies lessons.
"Because of the recent events, many of our teachers went ahead and talked about the Persian Gulf War so the students can better understand what is going on now," said Jennifer Buonaspina, head of the social studies department at North High School.
Teachers are also asking their students to analyze and compare the current events as they relate to history. In many cases, the events of last week coincided with social studies teachers' World War II lessons.
In an effort to spark critical thinking in his classrooms, Mike Serif, head of the social studies department at Memorial Junior High School, asked students to compare speeches made by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and President Bush to learn the messages being communicated and identify propaganda and the goals of both leaders.
"I'm trying to get the kids to think critically and realize not everything you read is true," Serif said.
While every lesson can't be devoted to the war, Serif will also offer students the opportunity to hold monitored discussions after school.
Students may be well informed about America's involvement in the Middle East thanks to 24-hour media coverage, and teachers may offer historical insight and critical thinking about the war, but some students still have a hard time understanding why our country is at war.
"I turn on the TV or read the newspapers and all I see is fighting and sadness," said Geanna, a student in LeWinter's class. "I think it's important things get solved, but it shouldn't be at the cost of innocent lives."
Another student said, "I don't think we should be at war ... we are not superheroes ... we can't do everything. Oil is not as important as life."
Even more telling may be the questions asked by the 11-year-olds. "Why were we dismissing all these problems with Iraq before President Bush got into office?" asked Josepha. "[And] why are we ignoring North Korea? They have nuclear bombs, they have a dictator and their children are starving to death."
The students also expressed their uncertainty about the war and its possible effect on their safety. "I am terrified that me and my family are going to die," Brooke said. "Why do we have to have war in the first place?"
Homeland safety concerns are not limited to younger students. "Many of our students are concerned about homeland security," Buonaspina said. "While they are interested in what's going on in Iraq, they are concerned about what's going on here."
Buonaspina said teachers are also looking to make sure students of Muslim or Arab descent aren't singled out or experience bias. Neither has occurred, Buonaspina said.
School safety brought up another notch
Since the national alert level was raised in February, schools in Valley Stream have stocked up on bottled water, batteries and canned goods in the event that an emergency forced students to stay in school.
However, the strengthening of the schools' security measures began long before February. Schools began more stringent security measures after Sept. 11, 2001.
Officials in Valley Stream's four school districts maintain open lines of communication among themselves and with the Nassau County Police Department, and follow similar guidelines when it comes to safety. Each district sent letters home to parents reassuring them that students are safe in school and that security and emergency procedures are in place.
"District 24 is responding to the warnings about potential threats to the safety of schools in light of the unfolding events at the national level," wrote Dr. Edward Fale, the district's superintendent of schools, in a letter to parents and guardians. "I want to assure you that our schools will continue to support a safe, orderly learning environment for our students."
Districts adhere to guidelines offered by the state Education Department and the Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services, which offer regular updates.
The state Education Department recommends that schools increase surveillance, restrict parking near the building, review building-use permits, consider postponing field trips, limit access to facilities and review lockdown and lockout procedures.
"We already had many of these procedures in place anyway," said Margaret Daugherty, District 13's superintendent of schools.
In addition, school social workers and psychologists are available to students in each district as needed.
Field trips are assessed on a case-by-case basis, but trips that would require travel across bridges and through tunnels have been canceled, administrators said.
"These are very difficult times for everyone, and as we learned during 9/11, the best way to get through them is to work together," Daugherty said.
