Unless you've been living under a rock, by now you've heard about the tragic death of yet another Chicago Public School student. A student was attacked outside Fenger high school. He was beaten to death with a two-by-four. The news has made national coverage, and a video of the attack is circulating around the web. Watching the video simply leaves you speechless. What can one even say to the parents of that child? What could CPS representatives possibly say in the wake of this horrific event?The New York Times reports: Chicago school officials "are starting a new anti-violence plan this fall and plan to provide extra counseling and assistance to schools and students seen as most likely to be involved in violence, said Monique Bond, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Public Schools. Officials were focusing on 38 schools with the most problems, including Fenger."
As someone who desires to teach for CPS, this both saddens and scares me. How can children be expected to learn and grow when they face the fear of violence every day? And I can't help but ask, "Are CPS officials really going to act?" Have we not heard this line before? Violence in and around Chicago schools is nothing new, and the violence is increasing. And is this a job for CPS alone? The city needs to step in. Schools located in areas known for violence and gang activity need more support from the Chicago Police Department. And where is our Mayor? Instead of doing all he can to bring the Olympics to Chicago, I think he should be doing all he can to reduce the violence our children are facing!
Tell me, how do you feel about this?
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I believe that not only the city should step in, but the parents as well. Where are the parents of these children? Parents, regardless of their SES, should take an interest and become involved in the daily lives of their children...It is not CPS's duty to babysit and discipline children/students--it begins in the home. As for the city's mayor, it seems as if he has more "important" things on his plate than to better the city (firing/laying off more police officials will not help lower the crime rate).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Betka. The problem of school/student violence is not going to be solved by CPS alone, nor should it be. It is not only a school problem, but a societal one, a community one. Far too often and for far too long, people have looked to schools to blame them for "kids today" while at the same time they expect schools to "fix" students/children/teens. How terribly unfair and shortsighted. Schooling and learning takes place both in AND outside of schools; why put the pressure solely on CPS?
ReplyDeleteThe easiest answer? Parents should be more involved. But what if they are not? The answer isn't so easy after-all....
And by the way, the Olympics? http://www.chicagoansforrio.com/ :)
Just a link to a story about Fenger....there's people blaming the parents AND the school, "One activist promised that if they sense no progress on dealing with youth violence, he'll organize a demonstration to embarrass the Mayor and the school system."
ReplyDeleteWould that help?
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/derrion.albert.investigation.2.1212436.html
http://apps.wbez.org/blog/?p=6404
ReplyDeleteAs a Chicago native and a future CPS educator, I can truly say that I am flustered and a bit frightened by all that is going on in this city as well as what's going on amongst our kids! I hope that one day there exist a drastic change in the way individuals deal with their issues both personal as well as with others. People always stick to the quote "People don't kill people, guns kill people", but the truth of the matter is in order for a gun to kill someone...a person has to take possession of the gun and pull the trigger. My question, not only for Chicago or for CPS students, but for the whole world is: WHEN DID KIDS START KILLING KIDS?! I am truly disgusted in the fact that the age range of killers is falling way to close to the ages of "innocence".
ReplyDeleteI hope we can get something done!! I hope we can help this human race before they help in vanquishing those of us that are left!!!
SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING...
The question now is:
WHAT DO WE DO?
HOW DO WE DO IT?
& HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE OUR EFFORTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
As another future educator i also find this a frightening problem. I agree that parental involvement is crucial, but that is a factor outside of our control. Violence prevention programs in schools, as well as school counselors, therapists and security guards are essential. Schools located in areas of increased violence and gang activity should have priority in these areas concerning school budgets.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought i had after this incident was why isn't the CPD more active in overseeing the safety of students as they leave school at the end of the day? These crimes are happening within blocks from schools. Couldn't there be police supervision at these times?
It is quite sad. And i think it is rather unfortunate that there are some students who go to school and do not really care, because they have much more important things to worry about. My wish is that each child could go to school and get the best out of it!!
ReplyDeleteIt is even more sad that there are soo many children who worry about violence much more than school. That should be the last things on their minds