Comments on: Member of Post-Columbine Generation Reflects on School Shooting http://www.character.org/blog/2012/02/member-of-post-columbine-generation-reflects-on-school-shooting/ Thu, 07 Mar 2013 05:55:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Megan Jones (CEP's Senior Administrator)http://www.character.org/blog/2012/02/member-of-post-columbine-generation-reflects-on-school-shooting/#comment-135 Megan Jones (CEP's Senior Administrator) Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:46:06 +0000 http://www.character.org/?p=7541#comment-135 I agree with Carol. I'm a few years older; I think I was 14 when Columbine happened. I very clearly remember our principal getting on the loudspeaker, and rather than directly addressing the shooting there, he simply said, "I'm glad everyone respects one another and feels valued at our school." I remember sitting there at my desk and thinking, "What school is he talking about? Because it's not this one!" As a "drama geek/chorus freak" who got good grades, I knew a lot of the kids who were marginalized, and the idea that someone would feel pushed over the edge and lash out in retaliation didn't surprise me at all. Honestly, the idea that teachers and administrators seemed to think that our school climate was great was more frustrating than anything, because it made it seem like the bullying incidents I saw every day went unnoticed. What encourages me in our National Schools of Character is that all stakeholders really seem to listen to students, and have a realistic idea of what goes on in their buildings. It takes courage to look at this complete picture, but it's the first step in addressing bullying problems head-on-- making life better for kids who might otherwise feel like they need to take a drastic step in order to be heard. I agree with Carol. I’m a few years older; I think I was 14 when Columbine happened. I very clearly remember our principal getting on the loudspeaker, and rather than directly addressing the shooting there, he simply said, “I’m glad everyone respects one another and feels valued at our school.” I remember sitting there at my desk and thinking, “What school is he talking about? Because it’s not this one!” As a “drama geek/chorus freak” who got good grades, I knew a lot of the kids who were marginalized, and the idea that someone would feel pushed over the edge and lash out in retaliation didn’t surprise me at all. Honestly, the idea that teachers and administrators seemed to think that our school climate was great was more frustrating than anything, because it made it seem like the bullying incidents I saw every day went unnoticed.

What encourages me in our National Schools of Character is that all stakeholders really seem to listen to students, and have a realistic idea of what goes on in their buildings. It takes courage to look at this complete picture, but it’s the first step in addressing bullying problems head-on– making life better for kids who might otherwise feel like they need to take a drastic step in order to be heard.

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