national security and school safety
NATIONAL SECURITY...
Homeland Security - The USA PATRIOT Act (commonly known as the Patriot Act) was enacted by Congress after September 11, 2001, and expressly authorized U.S. law authorities to investigate and preempt potential terrorist acts in the United States and around the world. The United States has initiated a terrorist alert system based on guidelines formulated by the Department of Homeland Security, which was created by HR 5005 in the 107th Congress and signed into law on November 26, 2002, by President George W. Bush (Essex, 2012, p.101). Public schools fall under the jurisdiction of these acts (Essex, 2012, p.102). These safeguards now play an important part in the day-to-day operation of the nation's public school systems. Some may question if some of our freedoms may have been taken away, but for the security and safety of school children, these acts have played a controversial and needed role.
Homeland Security - The USA PATRIOT Act (commonly known as the Patriot Act) was enacted by Congress after September 11, 2001, and expressly authorized U.S. law authorities to investigate and preempt potential terrorist acts in the United States and around the world. The United States has initiated a terrorist alert system based on guidelines formulated by the Department of Homeland Security, which was created by HR 5005 in the 107th Congress and signed into law on November 26, 2002, by President George W. Bush (Essex, 2012, p.101). Public schools fall under the jurisdiction of these acts (Essex, 2012, p.102). These safeguards now play an important part in the day-to-day operation of the nation's public school systems. Some may question if some of our freedoms may have been taken away, but for the security and safety of school children, these acts have played a controversial and needed role.
No Child Left Behind And School Safety- Under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, school safety also has become a major priority for local school districts, which must provide assurances that plans are on file regarding steps schools will initiate to maintain safe and drug-free environments (Essex, 2012, p. 102). Large amounts of money were poured into strengthening school emergency and safety concerns and in March of 2003, $30 million dollars was funneled into the educational system to start to address them. Safety issues affect not only school security in general but also the individual actions of the school population.
SCHOOL SAFETY...
Handling Violence in Schools - It is important that all school personnel, school officials, and teachers understand that elementary school violence is everyone’s responsibility. Teachers can no longer assume that they are only responsible for students to whom they are assigned. It is important for teachers to be visible and observant in the hallways, on school grounds, and during extracurricular activities. If they notice signs of disruptive behavior, appropriate steps must be taken to address deviant behavior consistent with school or district policy (Essex, 2012, p.106). Safety is not only for defining physical areas of concerns such as fire drills and driving rules, but also addresses attitudes and behaviors that have become very visible in the public's eye such as child shooter's attacking staff and students in schools.
Bullying and Cyberbullying - Bullying is associated with many acts of violence in public schools. It generally involves intentional cruel behavior between the person who exhibits this behavior and the students who are victims of bullying behavior. Bullying may involve physical or verbal acts intended to harass, intimidate, or create anxiety and fear among victims (Essex, 2012, p.106). Cyberbullying involves the use of electronic devices to send or post hurtful, embarrassing text or images intended to create anxiety, intimidation, or emotional distress in another person (Essex, 2012, p.110). In either case, horrific and saddening acts have been perpetrated because of this type of violence. Case in point, Megan Meier committed suicide after a classmate and her mother fabricated an online account attributed to a fictitious sixteen-year-old boy to whom Megan was attracted. Megan thought messages were cordial and inviting at the outset but later turned negative about her and were communicated to her friends along with bulletins suggesting that she was a bad person (Essex, 2012, p.106). Because of this event, the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act was submitted to the congress but never enacted because it died in committee.
Gangs - Gang activities declined in the mid 1990s through early 2005. Currently, the United States is facing a resurgence of gang activity. As of 2007, it is estimated that there are roughly 800,000 gang members and almost 28,000 gangs in the United States. (Essex, 2012, p.112). The pack mentality of gang membership is an enticing draw to individuals who are disenfranchised in their schools and homes. Gangs offer security for members, comradeship, and a sense of belonging that these children may not have in their lives. Unfortunately, the large majority of gangs are based in criminality and do not support the member's possible good life in the future.
Drug Testing - In Vernonia School District v. Acton, a court case that questioned the validity of drug testing in the mid 1990's, the Supreme Court held that schools have the right to drug test in order to support a safe and secure school environment (Essex, 2012, p.117). However, do not use the recent Supreme Court decision as a license to treat students unfairly. Some drug testing programs can fall outside of the law and be challenged on many different constitutional grounds.
Zero Tolerance and School Safety - The Gun Free School Act of 1994, which mandates expulsion of students who bring a weapon to school affects each state that receives federal funds and requires local educational agencies to expel from school for a period of not less than one year any student who is found to have brought a weapon to school under the jurisdiction of the local school district (Essex, 2012, p.120). Even with extenuating circumstances such as innocence, zero tolerance policies are notoriously unforgiving and do have the ability of ruining a student's future ability to gain employment and run for office.
Related Scripture - "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14, ESV)
Scriptural Significance - Having sage and educated counseling in the forms of courts, legislatures, and administrators can only help in the desire to provide a more secure and safe environment for our school children. When there is a lack of direction as there has been in the past, then calamity can befall the educational system as has been the case lately with school shootings and bullying episodes where students were grievously harmed. This is a millstone that no adult would want around their neck.
Leadership Significance - Faithful leaders who take the teachings of Jesus Christ to heart, know well the Lord's position on supporting children. We as teachers, counselors, and administrators are charged with the requirement that we do not frustrate children nor let circumstances under our control do the same. Leaders desire to have all of their charges feel safe and secure and should work to insure that belief is paramount in their thinking.
SCHOOL SAFETY...
Handling Violence in Schools - It is important that all school personnel, school officials, and teachers understand that elementary school violence is everyone’s responsibility. Teachers can no longer assume that they are only responsible for students to whom they are assigned. It is important for teachers to be visible and observant in the hallways, on school grounds, and during extracurricular activities. If they notice signs of disruptive behavior, appropriate steps must be taken to address deviant behavior consistent with school or district policy (Essex, 2012, p.106). Safety is not only for defining physical areas of concerns such as fire drills and driving rules, but also addresses attitudes and behaviors that have become very visible in the public's eye such as child shooter's attacking staff and students in schools.
Bullying and Cyberbullying - Bullying is associated with many acts of violence in public schools. It generally involves intentional cruel behavior between the person who exhibits this behavior and the students who are victims of bullying behavior. Bullying may involve physical or verbal acts intended to harass, intimidate, or create anxiety and fear among victims (Essex, 2012, p.106). Cyberbullying involves the use of electronic devices to send or post hurtful, embarrassing text or images intended to create anxiety, intimidation, or emotional distress in another person (Essex, 2012, p.110). In either case, horrific and saddening acts have been perpetrated because of this type of violence. Case in point, Megan Meier committed suicide after a classmate and her mother fabricated an online account attributed to a fictitious sixteen-year-old boy to whom Megan was attracted. Megan thought messages were cordial and inviting at the outset but later turned negative about her and were communicated to her friends along with bulletins suggesting that she was a bad person (Essex, 2012, p.106). Because of this event, the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act was submitted to the congress but never enacted because it died in committee.
Gangs - Gang activities declined in the mid 1990s through early 2005. Currently, the United States is facing a resurgence of gang activity. As of 2007, it is estimated that there are roughly 800,000 gang members and almost 28,000 gangs in the United States. (Essex, 2012, p.112). The pack mentality of gang membership is an enticing draw to individuals who are disenfranchised in their schools and homes. Gangs offer security for members, comradeship, and a sense of belonging that these children may not have in their lives. Unfortunately, the large majority of gangs are based in criminality and do not support the member's possible good life in the future.
Drug Testing - In Vernonia School District v. Acton, a court case that questioned the validity of drug testing in the mid 1990's, the Supreme Court held that schools have the right to drug test in order to support a safe and secure school environment (Essex, 2012, p.117). However, do not use the recent Supreme Court decision as a license to treat students unfairly. Some drug testing programs can fall outside of the law and be challenged on many different constitutional grounds.
Zero Tolerance and School Safety - The Gun Free School Act of 1994, which mandates expulsion of students who bring a weapon to school affects each state that receives federal funds and requires local educational agencies to expel from school for a period of not less than one year any student who is found to have brought a weapon to school under the jurisdiction of the local school district (Essex, 2012, p.120). Even with extenuating circumstances such as innocence, zero tolerance policies are notoriously unforgiving and do have the ability of ruining a student's future ability to gain employment and run for office.
Related Scripture - "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14, ESV)
Scriptural Significance - Having sage and educated counseling in the forms of courts, legislatures, and administrators can only help in the desire to provide a more secure and safe environment for our school children. When there is a lack of direction as there has been in the past, then calamity can befall the educational system as has been the case lately with school shootings and bullying episodes where students were grievously harmed. This is a millstone that no adult would want around their neck.
Leadership Significance - Faithful leaders who take the teachings of Jesus Christ to heart, know well the Lord's position on supporting children. We as teachers, counselors, and administrators are charged with the requirement that we do not frustrate children nor let circumstances under our control do the same. Leaders desire to have all of their charges feel safe and secure and should work to insure that belief is paramount in their thinking.