Design by Fallon Trachtman and Katrina White
Quarter Three 2022 Volume 7, Number 3
IN SERVICE AND LOVE Feature • Local Farms 01
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School 5901 Pine Island Road Parkland, Florida 33076
The Eagle Eye Quarter Three 2022 • Volume 7, Number 3
Front Cover: Photo by Travis Newbery
26
Photo by Rayne Welser The opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School or Broward County Public Schools. The publication is a member of the Florida Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association. If you would like to advertise please call (754) 322-2150 or email MSDEagleEyeNews@gmail.com
Visit us at: eagleeye.news @HumansofMSD on Instagram @EagleEyeMSD on Twitter @EagleEyeMSD on Instagram @MSDEagleEye on TikTok
04
A way to remember
MSD opens remembrance garden to remember the 17 students and teachers killed in 2018 MSD shooting
06 Forever in our memories
Community remembers MSD shooting victims with local memorials
Editorial cartoon by Julia Landy
Editorial Board nya owusu-afriyie theron piccininni Mariajose vera Rayne Welser Kelsie yon
Ivy lam Julia Landy Travis Newbery Lily singer Editors-in-Chief
Kate becker sophia golberg Haley jackson Abby marton Tatiana Ortiz Sofia osio Isabel white
09
4 years later...
11
alyssa’s alert
12
School Service
14
Teaching through trauma
Photo Editors
Reece gary Julianne LoFurno david lopez Sophia Squiccirini Ryan Shimony Sports Editors
16
Students, politicians and community members work toward change following the MSD shooting
BPS uses SaferWatch app to comply with Alyssa’s Law
MSD students spend Feb. 14 working on service projects
Four years later, MSD teachers deal with lasting effects of Feb.14, 2018 shooting while continuing to teach at MSD
Bad behavior
Since nationwide return of students to on-campus learning, debate begins over whether or not school violence has increased or if society at large has become more sensitive following pandemic
Copy Editors
sofia schorer kaplan Assistant Managing Editors
Melissa Falkowski Adviser
Sasha LECHTENSTEIN dana masri Delaney Walker Social Media Editors
Staff Dhaanya Balaji Quinn Braun Bailey Carter Vincent Ciullo Madison Friedman
Jessie Gesund Alison LaTorre Glory Lee Briana Martin Malena Molina
Ashveen Saini Mariapaz Santacoloma Brynn Schwartz
25 Enough is enough 26
Badges, bag checks & beyond MSD enforces new and existing protocols to maintain campus safety
Society fails to prevent school shootings in the years following the MSD tragedy
Design by Julia Landy
in Loving
Memory
The Eagle Eye dedicates this issue to the memory of the 15 students and three faculty members killed in the 2018 shooting at MSD. The Eagle Eye has included on this page the inscriptions that their families wrote on their remembrance garden plaques, which were unveiled on Feb. 14, 2022.
Alyssa Alhadeff
Martin Duque Anguiano
Class of 2021 On angels wings she was taken away, in our hearts she will always stay. A charismatic, honor roll freshman, soccer player, friend, sister & loving daughter.
Class of 2021 To become an astronaut was his dream. Serving others was his vocation. Fearing God was his nature and the love of his family his inspiration. Favorite Bible Verse John 11:25
Nicholas Dworet
Jamie Guttenberg
Luke Hoyer
Cara Loughran
Gina Montalto
Class of 2018 Swim Team Caption. Lover of life, Mentor to other, Forever in our hearts
Class of 2021 Loving caring, compassionate and always helping others. Fiercely loyal to family and friends. Wise beyond her years. Dancing angel. Forever in our hearts.
Class of 2021 Forever remembered for your kind heart, contagious smile, and laugh. You made the world a better place. Loved dearly and missed deeply by family and friends.
Class of 2021 A diligent student in the Honor Society and member of the Best Buddies Club. A beloved friend with a passion for Irish dance and heritage. “Gra anois agus go deo”
Class of 2021 Gina- kind soul, superior student with a genuine smile. Friend to all, loving daughter and big sister. Proud member of the 2017 State Champion Eagle Regiment.
Alaina Petty
Meadow Pollack
Helena Ramsay
Alex Schachter
Joaquin Oliver
Class of 2018 “My love for the world and knowledge is infinite” GUAC IS FOREVER
Class of 2021 Families are Forever
Class of 2018 Meaningful, magical, missed. Exquisitely everything. Admirable, animal lover, amazing. Did for all. One in a million; loved beyond words. Winner in life and love. Wonderful.
Carmen Schentrup
Peter Wang
Scott Beigel
Aaron Feis
Chris Hixon
Teacher, Coach With dry humor and wit, Scott treated others as he wanted to be treated. Scott was a teacher, coach, and friend who mentored at the highest level. Scott lived & died a hero!!!
Coach, Security Loving devoted husband and father, coach, mentor, lifelong friend. Greatest joy was to see others reach their full potential and achieve their ultimate goal.
Athletic Director Navy Veteran, loving husband, father, coach, and a friend to all. Will forever be remembered as a hero because he lived by the motto, “If not me, then who?”
Class of 2018 Beloved daughter and sister, amazing friend, talented musician, exceptional student, & National Merit Scholar. Her bright future was stolen, but her love endures.
Class of 2021 A ray of sunshine. Happy, kind, generous and selfless with a strong sense of service. Beloved son, brother, cousin and friend. In our hearts, forever and always.
Class of 2019 Kind, compassionate, and loyal. Known for her soft warm demeanor that bought the best out in all who knew her. Creative, optimistic, selfless. Strong faith and core values.
Class of 2021 Where there was laughter & music, there was Alex. A true friend who loved family, basketball & playing trombone in the marching band. “Life is Like a Rollercoaster”
In Loving Memory 03
A Way to remember T MSD opens remembrance garden to remember the 17 students and teachers killed in 2018 MSD shooting
at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, some families of the victims were upset that the building lacked recognition alumni Sawyer Garrity and Andrea Peña o commemorate the fourth of the 17 lives lost in the shooting. The in 2018, “Shine” champions a message of anniversary of the 17 lives lost construction of the new building was a on Feb. 14, 2018 in the shooting overcoming the shooting and uplifting result of the closure of the 1200 building, others who were in despair following the where the shooting took place in 2018. at Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. High School, a remembrance garden The school’s faculty council was “The unveiling of the remembrance located on campus opened for the school involved in the planning process of garden was really melancholy. I felt community on the annual BCPS Day of the garden. The council consists of 11 remorse for those who were inside the Service and Love. members of the MSD school faculty, who garden that knew these students, staff, Those in attendance at the are elected at the beginning of each year friends and family,” freshman Sophie unveiling included the mayors and city to help resolve problems at MSD. Kusuma said. commissioners of Parkland and Coral Meetings between the faculty council, The creation of this garden was Springs, Principal Michelle Kefford, MSD administration, BCPS representatives intended to serve as a continuation of the and some families of the victims were Assistant Principal Jay Milmed and Tom healing and recovery of the families and and Gina Hoyer, the parents of Luke held over Zoom and Microsoft Teams in the community. The remembrance garden order to ensure the remembrance garden Hoyer, who was killed in the shooting. Also at the opening were hundreds of MSD is located in the northeast section of met the needs of the families, students campus and is slightly tucked away from students and teachers, who volunteered and staff. the main areas of the school. Located during the day to give back to the “The committee’s role was to choose just outside the gym, the remembrance community. something that we felt was best for a A rose was placed beside each victim’s garden is open for viewing to students long-term memorial on campus for and school staff; it is not open to the plaque, that displayed their picture and faculty and students,” Faculty Council public. graduation year or staff position and Chair Melissa Falkowski said. “There was “I think the reaction to the garden is a short message about the victim. The a need and a desire from the families to Hoyers placed a rose on their son’s plaque going to be positive,” mother of Alyssa have something be here on campus.” alongside MSD teachers who placed roses Alhadeff, a victim of the tragedy, and The first step for the remembrance on the other plaques. After each name was Broward County Public Schools board garden was a staff survey, which allowed member Lori Alhadeff said before read and a rose placed on each plaque, a MSD faculty to give their input and the unveiling. “It’s important for the moment of silence was observed. insight. students and staff to have a place to go to At the conclusion of the moment of Designs for the remembrance garden remember the 17.” silence, the song “Shine” was played to were discussed throughout the formation After the opening of the 1500 building period, including the use of plaques that honor the lost 17 Eagles. Written by MSD
Advertisements • Remembrance Garden 04 News
would remember each of the 17 victims respectively. Numerous designs were discussed. However, in the finalized garden, a semi-circle brick wall design was chosen. Materials were selected based on whether they could withstand hurricanes and other natural events Florida is prone to. In December 2021, a construction company began by clearing out the existing garden space, which included benches and rocks in preparation for the new remembrance garden. Some items were sent to be reused in MSD’s Marjory’s Garden. The construction began on the week of Dec. 11, 2021 and ended in early February. New benches and foliage were added to the existing garden area, in addition to the semi-circle brick wall with the plaques. The project was funded by the school district. The Eagle Eye contacted representatives from the BCPS Public Information Office and Dr. Antoine Hickman, Chief of Student Support Initiatives & Recovery for information on the total cost of the project. The requests went unanswered. After four years of grieving and remembering, the remembrance garden is a way for members of the MSD community to reflect on the 17 fallen Eagles. Story by Vincent Cuillo
Design by Julia Landy In Remembrance. Literacy Coach Gabriela Prochilo reads the plaques in the MSD Remembrance Garden. The garden was unveiled on Feb. 14, 2022, the four year anniversary of the MSD shooting. Photo by Rayne Welser
News • Remembrance Garden 05
Future MSD 17 Memorial
In January 2022, North Springs Improvement District voted to approve a proposal from the Parkland 17 Memorial Foundation to build a memorial as part of the current land development planned for the Heron Bay Golf Course, which is owned by NSID. In 2018, the Florida Legislature set aside $1 million for the construction of a public memorial for the victims of the MSD shooting.
Princess Meadow’s Playground
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Rock Garden
Nick Dworet Memorial Princess Meadow’s Playground
Named after 18-year-old Meadow Pollack, who was killed in the 2018 MSD shooting, Princess Meadow’s Playground is located at Betti Stradling Park in Coral Springs. Children can now be seen there every day enjoying the various facilities such as slides, swings and climbing structures. Recently, a memorial to Pollack, which includes her personalized parking bumper from MSD was added, and a splash pad is under construction next to the existing playground. Photo by Mariajose
Vera
06 Feature • Local Memorials
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Rock Garden
Located in front of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School cafeteria, the rock garden is filled with painted and decorated rocks. Students and community members have added rocks to the garden over several years to remember the 17 victims who died in the Feb. 14, 2018 shooting at MSD. Photo by Kelsie Yon
Nick Dworet Memorial
Described as a place to relax rather than mourn, the Nick Dworet memorial bench and tree were built at the east side of the entrance to the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, located at 12441 Royal Palm Blvd in Coral Springs, as tribute to the 18-year-old swimmer. His photo can be seen below the magnolia tree planted next to the bench. Photo
by Zoe Payton
Design by Julia Landy and Lily Singer
Forever in our
Community remembers MSD shooting victims with local memorials
Mem ries Project Grow Love
Established at the corner of Pine Island Road and Holmberg Road, in front of the school’s sign, Project Grow Love is frequently visited by staff, students and community members alike. The site often includes a variety of flowers, meaningful tokens, letters and pictures. Photo by Mariajose Vera
Lola’s Market Memorial
Project Grow Love
Helena Freja Ramsay Memorial Lola’s Market Mural
Just days after the Feb. 14 2018 shooting, MSD Students were given tiles and the opportunity to express their feelings on these tiles. Due to the initial positive feedback, former art teacher Lauren Rosa and a team of students a part of the National Art Honors Society decided to make murals with the pictures of the victims. The mural can be visited outside Lola’s Bazaar Market, located at 2501 NE 13th Avenue. in Wilton Manors, Florida. Photo by Nyan Clarke
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Memorial Park Marjory Stoneman Douglas Memorial Park Helena Freja Ramsay Memorial Garden
Seventeen-year-old Helena Ramsay will forever be remembered through the Helena Freja Ramsay Memorial Garden at 2915 Sportsplex Drive in Coral Springs. The park is known for its large, grassy area that includes soccer fields, baseball fields and more. The garden is the newest addition, and it also honors the 16 other victims of the shooting with 17 Buddha belly bamboo trees, planted by Coral Springs volunteers. Photo by Nya Owusu-Afriyie
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Memorial Park
Located at 199 Southwest 120th Avenue, the Coral Springs Improvement District renamed a passive Coral Springs park to Marjory Stoneman Douglas Memorial Park. CSID planted 17 trees to represent each of the victims and to provide a safe space for the survivors and other citizens of Coral Springs to remember. Photos by Nya Owusu-Afriyie
Feature • Local Memorials 07
Design by Ryan Shimony
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Reporting by Jessie Gesund; Design by Julia Landy and Jessie Gesund
4 Years Later... Students, politicians and community members work towards change following the MSD shooting
Feb. 21, 2018 Three buses filled with students travel to Florida’s capital in Tallahassee to talk with legislators about common-sense gun reforms.
March 9, 2018 The Florida Legislature passes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which raises the age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21 and establishes the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian program to train school staff to carry firearms on school campuses.
March 23, 2018 The state of Florida passes a ban on the possession of bump stocks. The ban also includes any high speed alteration triggers that would make a firearm fire at a faster speed than manufacturers intended.
Aug. 28, 2018 Activist Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was killed in the MSD shooting, is elected to the School Board of Broward County to represent District 4.
March 2019 Eagles’ Haven Wellness Center opens to provide crisis support, trauma education, support groups and free therapy for the Parkland and Coral Springs communities.
June 2020 Named after Alyssa Alhadeff, who was killed in the 2018 MSD shooting, Alyssa’s Law requires schools in Florida to have panic buttons in all classrooms that are linked directly to law enforcement and first responders in the case of an emergency.
March 11, 2018 The U.S. House of Representatives passes a bill for universal background checks on all gun sales, which expands to unlicensed and private sellers to conduct background checks. However, the bill faces uncertainty in the Senate.
Feb. 14, 2022 The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act is renewed by the Florida House of Representatives. The bill will continue until its next renewal on July 1, 2026.
Feb. 14, 2018
A former student opens fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others.
Feb. 21, 2018 CNN hosts a town hall at the BB&T Center where students, teachers and parents meet with Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL), Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL) and representatives from the National Rifle Association.
March 11, 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission is established to identify and address issues regarding the shooting and other incidents in the state. The goal is to provide systems of improvement in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
March 24, 2018 An MSD student-led protest, named March For Our Lives, takes place in Washington, D.C.; Parkland, Florida; and in cities across the country where thousands of people march in support of gun control legislation.
February 2019 Red flag laws are implemented in Florida, which authorize law enforcement officers to confiscate firearms and bar the firearm owner from purchasing a new weapon until an investigation is completed to determine if that individual is a danger to themselves or others.
Oct. 23, 2019 Florida Senate approves the removal of Sheriff Scott Israel from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, charging him with incompetence and dereliction of duty for actions before and after the MSD shooting.
Feb. 14, 2021 In a White House statement, President Joe Biden calls on Congress, “to enact common sense gun law reforms, including requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets.”
Dec. 14, 2018 The Broward County School Board votes to approve a $25 million settlement for the families of victims and survivors. The lawsuit claims that the school district failed to see warning signs from the shooter.
Feature • Changes from MSD Shooting 09
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Alyssa’s Alert
Design by Brynn Schwartz
BCPS uses SaferWatch app to comply with Alyssa’s Law
S
aferWatch, a mobile app providing a panic button that travels with its users, is the latest effort to increase school safety after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 that resulted in the death of 17 people and injury of 17 more. The app also allows users to submit information about safety-related concerns to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Broward County Public Schools began using SaferWatch for students, faculty and parents at the start of the 2018-2019 school year. SaferWatch added a panic button feature to be in compliance with Alyssa’s Law, or SB 70, which both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate passed unanimously. The law went into effect for this school year. Alyssa’s Law, named after 14-yearold Alyssa Alhadeff who lost her life in the shooting at MSD, establishes that all public and charter elementary, middle and high school campuses must have a silent mobile panic alert system. The system is also known as “Alyssa’s Alert.” The panic button feature of SaferWatch only works for BCPS staff members who have set up their accounts with their school email addresses and is only available for use when they are within the set geo-fence that surrounds a school campus. SaferWatch follows a specific process when an incident is reported. Once reported, SaferWatch sends the user’s location, profile, medical information and emergency contacts to school administrators and law enforcement. After the report has been verified, a mass notification is sent out to nearby people in order to make people aware of the situation and provide important safety instructions. SaferWatch has expanded from just education to hospitals, places of worship, government buildings, airports, neighborhoods and public venues. Many people view SaferWatch as an important tool that could save lives, including School Board of Broward County member and Alyssa’s mother Lori Alhadeff, who lobbied for the passing of Alyssa’s Law. “Creating a safer and more secure environment for our students, staff and visitors requires many layers of safety,” Alhadeff said. “SaferWatch provides one layer. Over the past few years, the school district has also increased security and mental health staffing, upgraded and added safety technology, strengthened relationships with local law enforcement, enhanced crisis communications plans and increased security at sporting events.” BCPS hopes the layers of defense will save lives in emergency situations. “I think any layer of defense can save lives,” English teacher Stacey Lippel said. “If somebody has penetrated the borders of our school, we’re resorting to SaferWatch. I think if I’m able to use the app and that can save a student in my
Advocacy for Alyssa. Lori Alhadeff, mother of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victim Alyssa Alhadeff, advocates for a law that would require panic alarms be installed in Florida schools. Photo courtesy of Amy
Beth Bennett/ South Florida Sun Sentinel/ Tribune News Service
class, then it’s worth it.” BCPS faces criticism by educators on their roll out of the new SaferWatch app. All school staff attended an onsite training during pre-planning week regarding county safety policies and procedures, including SaferWatch. However, they did not have SaferWatch ready at the beginning of the school year for teachers to set up their account, which gives them access to the panic button. In addition, there have been no follow-up training sessions or reminders for staff about this life-saving tool. “It’s an additional protection but, unfortunately, I forgot about it,” media specialist Diana Haneski said. “[...] Maybe it would be helpful if we can have some reminders. Someone like administration could remind us that this was a thing because this is the kind of thing that could help ease someone’s mind, and we’ve had a lot of stress these last few months coming up to [the fourth anniversary].” However, not all school staff have downloaded and set up SaferWatch, which is optional for instructors under Alyssa’s Law. According to BCPS records, more than 6,000 BCPS staff members have set up the SaferWatch app; however, BCPS has roughly 30,500 employees. While 85% of administrators have the SaferWatch app, only 20% of school employees are using it. Some instructors cite privacy concerns as their reason for not downloading the app. “The original concerns I had with SaferWatch, and I have spoken multiple
times to the president of SaferWatch, were in the user agreement,” TV production teacher Eric Garner said. “The way they had written it made it appear to be like that at any time, they could access pictures on your phone, texts on your phone or things like that.” SaferWatch has since rewritten the user agreement to eliminate many privacy concerns teachers had, but some concerns remain. “To me, I like FortifyFL a lot better because [with] Fortify, you’re just sending information,” Garner said. “They can’t get [information] from your phone, whereas SaferWatch does that to a level, though it’s not anywhere near as intrusive as what it sounded like [in the original user agreement].” In an anonymous survey, 48.7% of MSD teachers have downloaded and set up their SaferWatch account to use the mobile panic button, 38.5% have not downloaded or set up their SaferWatch account to use the mobile panic button, and 12.8% of MSD teachers have downloaded the app but have not set up their account to use the mobile panic button. “I need several ways to report emergencies in the event one fails,” one teacher who downloaded and set up their SaferWatch account said in the survey.
“
Other teachers were in agreement, citing the possible benefit of increased communication abilities in a crisis and the feature where they would be notified about activity near them. However, not every teacher was enticed by these features. “I don’t trust security apps not to bury programming on my device,” another
I think if I’m able to use the app, and that can save a student in my class, then it’s worth it.
”
English teacher Stacey Lippel teacher said. “I know most apps are tracking our non-app activity in one way or another, but apps that have clear links to law enforcement or my employer are ones [I‘d] rather not further invite onto my phone.” Other teachers had not downloaded the app because they weren’t sure how to or did not even know that SaferWatch existed. Four years after the tragedy at MSD, SaferWatch ignites hope among the MSD community in reducing potential deaths and injuries as well as working to save lives in emergency situations. Story by Brynn Schwartz
News • Alyssa’s Law 11
School Round of Applause
Supporting our Supporters
Team Work Round of Applause. Student volunteers clap and cheer for the first responders as they enter the cafeteria for breakfast. Photo by Lily Scopino Supporting our Supporters. Supporters Sophomores Lucy Greene, Rebecca Stember, Kylie Sack, Kaleigh Cuccia and Emma Kramer greet first responders at the feeding first responders breakfast hosted in the cafeteria. Photo by
Jessie Gesund
Team Work. Students helped build part of a new shed in Marjory’s Garden. They were able to participate in many different activities in the garden and learn new skills. Photo by Rayne Welser Building for the Future. Students volunteer to build items in Marjory’s Garden on the fourth anniversary of the shooting. Photo by Lily Scopino Building for the Future
12 Feature • Day of Service and Love
Service O
Design by Julia Landy
MSD students spend Feb.14 working on service projects n the fourth anniversary of the Feb. 14, 2018 shooting, students, teachers and staff members across Broward County Public Schools participated in a “Day of Service and Love” to commemorate the 17 lives lost and the 17 others who were injured. All schools had an early release day. At MSD each year, Feb. 14 is a non-academic day, where students can choose to come to campus and participate in a service project. Students who chose to go to school that day had the opportunity to participate in multiple different service projects from 7:40 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., which is an earlier dismissal time than other schools in the district. About 500 MSD students participated in the four available service project activities. Students were able to spend a mindful morning with the MSD Mind and Body Club, where students participated in tai chi and performed relaxing activities, like meditation. Students had the option to serve breakfast to Broward County first responders in the cafeteria. Students participating in the campus beautification option helped clean
up and decorate the school. Students who chose the Marjory’s Garden project helped with a variety of projects in the garden area. Junior Adrianna Grant selected the mindful morning option, opting for a day to reflect. “I liked it [service day] because it offered a way to take a break and cope with that day, but I feel the memorial should’ve been more private since the teachers were very vulnerable during it,” Grant said. Each year at the conclusion of the day, the names of the 17 students and staff who were killed are read aloud and a moment of silence is observed. This year, the commemoration ceremony was held in the MSD Remembrance Garden, which opened on Feb. 14, 2022 just outside the gym. In addition to the service projects held at MSD and others at schools across the school district, religious services and beach cleanups in the name of the students and teachers that died on Feb. 14, 2018 were held throughout Broward County as a way to remember the 17 lives lost. Story by
Tatiana Ortiz
Supporting Staff
Showing Thanks
Most Important Meal of the Day
Standing in Solitude
Supporting Staff. Staff MSD Staff members gather together in a group hug after the unveiling of the new remembrance garden. The garden was unveiled at MSD’s Day of Service and Love on Feb. 14, 2022. Photo by Rayne Welser Most Important Meal of the Day. Police officers pose for a picture at the first responders breakfast. Students serve first responders as a way to save thanks for their service in the community and at MSD on the day of the shooting in 2018.
Photo by Jessie Gesund
Showing Thanks. Senior Colin McLean holds a sign at the First Responders Breakfast to show appreciation for local law enforcement and first responders. Photo by Lily Scopino Standing in Solitude Teachers and service animals take a picture with the eagle on campus after the unveiling of the new memorial. The sculpture was donated to the school in the fall of 2018. Photo by Rayne Welser
Feature • Day of Service and Love 13
Four years later, MSD teachers deal with lasting effects of Feb. 14, 2018 shooting, while continuing to teach at MSD
I
Teaching Through
TRAUMA
n life, every individual faces obstacles they must overcome. When tragedy strikes, victims and their families must be given the proper emotional and practical support to heal in the aftermath. The aftermath of dealing with trauma and tragedy is different for every individual.
Always an Eagle
Following the events of the shooting on Feb. 14, 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the Parkland and Coral Springs communities remember the 17 lives lost and the innumerable lives affected. Although the classes of 2018-2021 have graduated, 112 out of the original 186 faculty members remain at MSD four years later. “I don’t think I really thought about leaving the school actually, and this is why I have been here for almost my entire teaching life. I love the kids and my colleagues and friends here,” Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics teacher Jeff Foster said. “I think I’ve done enough internally to heal that I don’t show up to school like I did the first year. I reflect and think like, ‘Man, I’m at the place where the shooting happened.’ I mean, it happens occasionally, but it’s not an overbearing thing that I can’t cope with. I enjoy the community; I think I’ll be here ‘‘til I retire.” Many teachers chose to remain despite their hardships. Whether it is a personal
“
For instance, some have embraced the meaning of “live every day to its fullest” and “cherish every day and everyone in your life” to experience life in a new light, one that is distinct from its sadder origins. As with any sudden adversity, the After the loss of their own students events four years ago invoked raw emotions and drastic changes to everyday and fellow colleagues, the faculty has grown to cherish those currently in activities. The outcome — mental strain their lives, whether it is their family or and emotional exhaustion — proved to be difficult for MSD teachers, as they had their friends. They focus on their own to continue on with their own lives after healing the most, by attending therapy or reflecting on their personal lives to see experiencing horrific trauma. where they can make improvements. “I personally struggled dealing with “I don’t necessarily do it that well, what happened, you know, having kids in my class that others knew that passed but I tried to YOLO and understand how fleeting life can be and how anything away, like a friend or a colleague that died that they’ve known for years,” Foster could happen on any particular day,” Hospitality and Tourism teacher Mitchell said. “So obviously, it took a really long Albert said. “I really try to enjoy each day time to deal with, and we still deal with the most I possibly can.” it to this day. You surround yourself Other educators have noticed changes with people that love you, care about in their daily mental and physical you and help you. You try to find help functions. Kurth believes that she is a from professionals as well. You have to completely different person after she continue to try to push forward.” realized that there were certain activities As a result of the shooting, many her brain could no longer cope with. It teachers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the National was hard for her to admit to such a drastic change; however, Kurth aims to be honest Institute of Mental Health, the disorder in her self-evaluations. may develop after experiencing a “I went from kind of making plans for shocking, scary or dangerous event. Any things and being organized and having a sounds, words or situations may bring back the individual to the scenes of their clear idea of where things go, to kind of throwing that all up in the air and living traumatic experiences. in utter chaos and non-planning,” Kurth “I still see my therapist for my said. [Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing], which is awesome for PTSD
of their most significant memories, both good and bad.
Struggle and Strife
You surround yourself with people that love you, care about you and help you. You try to find help from professionals as well. You have to continue to try to push forward. Jeff Foster, social studies teacher
duty to be there for students or the comfort of fellow educators, the bond that has been developed under the intense trauma of the events of Feb. 14, 2018 is hard to break. “I felt my own children were going to school here, and they wanted to continue to come here and graduate. I have very close relationships with my students, and I wanted to stick around for them,” English teacher Stacey Lippel said. “Then the most important thing is that I had a lot of friends here, who were my support system.” MSD became a home away from home. The established ties to the community have served as a factor for many teachers ultimately deciding to remain at the site
14 Feature • Four Years Later
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Live and Learn
Four years after the tragedy, many teachers at MSD have altered their perspectives on various aspects of life.
Safety in Schools
Before the tragedy and even more so after, numerous steps have been taken to reform gun laws and to implement better safety precautions within public schools. Movements such as March for Our Lives and legislation such as Alyssa’s Law have brought attention to these issues and advocated for reform. Even with these actions to create safer schools, school shootings continue to happen. As a result, MSD teachers retain their hope that conditions will improve in the future, even proposing their own suggestions to fix the problem. “I personally think that it would be beneficial to have a law enforcement satellite station at the different schools, so you would have a little mini-police station in the front office of any school so that if there was a serious issue, it could be easily and swiftly handled,” Kurth said. “At the same time, I feel it also helps to build connections and communicate with the kids and have an understanding of if there is a problem, here is a trained officer.” Every year, Broward County Public Teachers also hope that students can Schools recognizes Feb. 14 as a “Day of go to school and feel safe. Classified as Service and Love,” in which members a “uniquely American problem,” gun of the community are encouraged to violence, especially in schools, continues partake in service projects and spend quality time with those they love. Besides to be seen in high numbers throughout all 50 states. In today’s society, there is the volunteer opportunities offered an ongoing fear of school shootings for annually on campus at MSD, teachers students when they attend school. often take part in their own activities to “I think everyone should be able to commemorate the day. go to school and know that they’re safe. While some may enjoy a day of Before the tragedy, I really thought I self-care and relaxation at the spa with was safe,” Cutler said. “There’s safety co-workers, like Lippel, others re-watch everywhere in our community, and I nostalgic television shows, like Kurth, think that the first thing in order to even who re-watches “Gilmore Girls” all day achieve anything is that you have to feel long after coming home from breakfast safe. I think that’s really important, and with her husband. Feb. 14 is a relatively I want everyone to feel like it should be a happy day on the calendar for most, yet given.“ it remains a time to remember those The combination of professional help, lost in the Parkland and Coral Springs companionship and community has communities. allowed MSD teachers to find new ways to “Feb. 14 is my husband’s birthday, live life to the fullest. Instead of allowing so it’s a little difficult, but I’ve done their pasts to control their decisions and something different every year. I always go to the City of Parkland, I always do the actions, the faculty has expressed their memorial service that they have there in new outlook on life and their hopes for the evening,” Academy of Finance teacher a safer school environment. Although Sharon Cutler said. “I usually do a service the shooting happened four years ago, the people lost and the change enacted project, and that makes me feel good continue to be remembered today. Story by about what it is that I’m doing so I can Ivy Lam and Ashveen Saini kind of move forward.” Despite the various interpretations
In Remembrance
and being able to learn the tools to help calm myself down and to basically keep myself in the here and now and not have a ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction when things that I’m not expecting happen,” culinary teacher Ashley Kurth said. To gradually overcome the obstacles of the tragedy, teachers attend to their mental health needs in various ways. For some that might include attending therapy sessions or participating in mindfulness activities, like massages or yoga, to cope.
of Feb. 14 for the MSD community, social studies teacher Ernest Rospierski wants his child to enjoy Valentine’s Day for what it is, a day of love and affection, even if the day is difficult for him. “It’s Valentine’s Day. For us, it’s not, Rospierski said. “For us, it’s something different, it’s a call to action. Whether or not you do it, that’s up to each individual. But it is just Valentine’s Day. I’m trying to make it so my kid enjoys Valentine’s Day.”
Design by Ivy Lam
Safe and Secure. Culinary teacher Ashley Kurth continues to educate her students on various topics of food preparation. After four years, Kurth and other teachers alike remain dedicated to their professions. Kurth chose to remain at MSD because she felt the most comfortable her after the shooting.
Photo by Quinn Braun
Lending a Helping Hand. Hand Hospitality and Tourism teacher Mitchell Albert addresses his students’ questions and concerns during class. His favorite aspect of teaching is forming special connections with his students, which he often continues beyond high school life. Photo by Quinn Braun
Cracking a Smile. Smile English teacher Stacey Lippel enjoys having meaningful conversations with her students. She chose to remain a teacher at MSD following the Feb. 14, 2018 shooting because of the support system she had on campus, comprised primarily of coworkers. Photo by Quinn Braun
Facing the Future. Future Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics teacher Jeff Foster sketches a political spectrum to explain a concept to his students. Foster never considered leaving MSD after the shooting due to the his love for the students and his colleagues. Photo by Quinn Braun
Feature • Four Years Later 15
Design by Julia Landy
Bad Behavior Since nationwide return of students to on-campus learning, debate begins over whether or not school violence has increased or if society at large has become more sensitive following pandemic
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houting can be heard throughout the courtyard. A crowd gathers. Three students are entangled as a ring of bystanders circle them. An administrator pushes through and breaks up the fight. As the crowd disperses minutes later, two other students yards away from the first brawl begin to fight as well. Security breaks up this one. Since the return of students to in-person learning, anecdotal reports and media coverage suggest a national increase in K-12 school violence. With students returning to in-person school after virtual learning for the 2020-2021 school year, everyone is readjusting. Is there evidence of an upward trend in violence or did the COVID-19 pandemic increase people’s sensitivity towards it?
What is school violence?
School violence is classified as any act of violence that occurs on a school campus, on school trips, at school events and even on the journey to and from school. School violence victims can include students, teachers or school staff members. The five types of school violence include physical violence, psychological violence, sexual violence, bullying and cyberbullying. Physical violence includes any physical actions of aggression, operation of weapons, theft and arson. Psychological violence is abuse in the verbal or emotional form. Examples of psychological violence include ridiculing, isolating, name-calling or spreading rumors about another person. Sexual violence includes an incidents of sexual coercion,
sexual harassment or rape. Bullying is classified as any intentional and repeated acts of aggression towards someone. Cyberbullying is any intentional and repeated acts of aggression towards someone via social media or the internet. There are a variety of circumstances that can contribute to incidents of school violence. These circumstances are classified as risk factors. Risk factors are any circumstance that are considered to equal a higher likelihood that an incident will occur. There are individual, education, community, family and social risk factors. Exposure to school violence has many effects, including a deterioration of mental health and an increase in likelihood for children to repeat the violence they are exposed to. While school violence many times includes physical
Do you think that the nation has experienced an increase in acts of school violence?
Stephen W. Smith, Smith Ph.D. is a Professor of special education at the University of Florida who focuses on behavioral prevention strategies, the selfregulation of behavior, issues related to aggression and violence in schools, and understanding verbal aggression of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Photo courtesy of University of
Florida Photographic Services
Feature • School Violence 16 Advertisements
“According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2021), the rate of non-fatal student victimization of students 12-18 years of age decreased substantially from 1992 to 2019. The total victimization rate declined from 181 victimizations per 1,000 students in 1992 to 30 victimizations per 1,000 students in 2019. That is more than an 80% decrease. When you evaluate fighting exclusively as a type of violence, rates also decreased from 11% in 2009 to 8% in 2019 for 9th through 12th-grade students. When we consider school-
related deaths, I think it is essential to say first that any death is a tragedy that impacts individuals, families and the community. The only good statistic, in this case, would be a rate of 0%. Often people associate school-related deaths first with high-profile events like school shootings. School-related deaths have remained relatively stable from 1992 to 2018. Homicides at school are very rare. Compared with data from the National Center for Health Statistics, 2.3% of homicides of individuals 5 to 18 years of age during 2017-18 occurred at school.
Meaning 97.7% of these horrible events happen away from school. According to the CDC, 90% of school-associated homicides from 1994-2016 involved one victim. The remaining 10% representing multiple-victim incidents, however, accounted for 18.6% of youth homicide victims. Notably, 95% of multiple-victim school-related homicides involved gunrelated injuries. In summary, I’d say that although school violence, in general, may not have risen, multiple-victim school shootings are a rare but serious issue.”
nationwide shortage. The National Association of School Psychologists recommends one school psychologist per every 500 to 700 students. With Florida’s K-12 student population exceeding 12 million, the average Florida school counselor is assigned to at least 2,000 students. After President Joe Biden’s public push in With most students pushed to virtual learning January 2021 to reopen schools for the 2021during both the spring of 2020 and most or all of the 2020-2021 school year, warning signs normally 2022 school year, the Department of Homeland Security published a public awareness bulletin used to indicate school violence are likely to titled, “Mitigating the Threat of School Violence’’ have been missed due to the lack of face-toon Aug. 24, 2021. Within the bulletin, the DHS face interactions. While a teacher’s main role is addresses the possibility of potential incidents to teach students, they also play a vital role in of violence in schools as well as the risk of reporting suspicious activity from students that contracting COVID-19. may indicate that the student is in crisis or that The daily interaction students receive at something is taking place within the student’s school also works to sustain their mental health. home or elsewhere outside of school. Adolescent development and school violence In addition, the United States is experiencing expert, Dr. Ellen Walser deLara believes that this one of the biggest school staffing shortages in school year has seen an unprecedented increase in history. With less and less teachers, current overall school violence. Walser deLara has a Ph.D. teachers are being stretched past their normal Educational Psychology from Cornell University, is responsibilities. According to the Florida a licensed clinical social worker, a member of the Education Association, teaching vacancies in the Academy of Certified Social Workers and a Board state of Florida saw a 67% increase from August Certified Diplomate Associate Professor Emerita 2020 to August 2021. at Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at School psychologists are also experiencing a
injuries, mental health is also greatly impacted. Experiencing any sort of trauma almost directly contributes to students committing acts of aggression or violence.
A Nationwide Issue
What are some factors that work to increase school violence? “There is, unfortunately, a layering and perhaps cumulative effect of risk factors that can exacerbate the incidents of school violence including, but not limited to, ready access to firearms, chronic and hostile cyber abuse meant to intimidate and threaten,
personal alienation from peers and helping adults, the increasing believe that school environments are becoming increasingly violent, and a host of family and community factors, such as child abuse and neglect, poverty and drug abuse.”
Syracuse University. Walser deLara says there are five main factors that contribute to the recent increase in school violence: a the sense of isolation resulting from virtual learning, bullying, mental health factors for adolescents, a lack of resources to help students deal with their frustrations stemming from the past two years of pandemic living and community factors like poor parental behavior at school board meetings or in other settings. “...Being virtual for all of two years or a substantial part of it or back and forth from one to another has completely disrupted normal social development for most students. While there have been educational losses, the loss in terms of mental well-being and the loss of learning how to interact in a healthy manner with peers has taken a great toll,” Walser deLara said. “For example, if you were in middle school at the start of the pandemic, by the time you return to in-person, you may be in high school. If you had been in school that whole time, you would have learned a great deal about how to interact with peers and how to deal with hoped-for romantic partners. Instead, you have students with the social
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What are some factors that work to decrease school violence?
“My first priority would be to emphasize strategies that can prevent or assuage adverse student experiences and violent situations in school settings. First, state, district and school personnel can promote more capacity to design, implement and assess district and school approaches for fostering positive, supportive and sustainable evidenced-based
mental health services for students and school personnel. School-based mental health services have been shown to produce strong effects. Incidents of school violence are linked to the factors I listed above, so any efforts to combat those in a thoughtful and substantive way would be productive.”
Feature • School Violence 17
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from last year to this year. Last year there clearly weren’t a lot of kids in school, but I would say we haven’t seen a drastic increase in incidents from a normal school year to returning from quarantine,” Principal Michelle Kefford said. Even the number of incidents is not necessarily an indicator of increased violence. Of the 37 total incidents at MSD during this school year thus far, 22 of them were tobacco-related. During the 20192020 school year, 25 of MSD’s 42 incidents were tobacco-related and during the 2018-2019 39 of MSD’s 93 incidents were tobacco-related. Across the district, when looking at fights, the district has reported 1,506 so far for this year. There were 2,471 fights in the 2019-2020 school year, and there were 3,025 fights during the 20182019 school year. If the number of fights from the first semester — 1,506 — doubles, the total number for BCPS will reach about the same 3,025 fights as reported in the 2018-2019 school year, which is the last year of complete data. After over a year of online learning to coming back to school, the rush of misbehavior may feel larger than the numbers represent. “I think schools need to be more understanding about disciplinary issues this year as a lot of students are still having trouble recovering and adapting to the changes that follow COVID-19,” MSD sophomore Nina Khalouf said. “Which is why there’s possibly such a high rise in disciplinary issues, but I ask schools to be more accepting and forgiving as well as patient with us students as we are all trying to navigate this new world, and many high school students who are adolescents are under a lot of pressure at the moment.”
last few years. Schools are supposed to be safe environments where students can safely learn,” sophomore Karen Liu said. “We aren’t supposed to be constantly worrying about when the next shooting will happen, and we shouldn’t be doing monthly practices; it’s just sad and upsetting.” In another effort to deter school shooting threats, the Broward Sheriff’s Office released a During the first semester, there were multiple video and message on Dec. 15, 2021 that illustrated behavioral incidents at Marjory Stoneman real life events they have dealt with. Douglas High School and across Broward County The video contained different real-life Public Schools. MSD reported 37 total incidents, scenarios of what happens when a student makes according to BCPS’s Preliminary Reported SESIR a threat towards a school, either by texting their Data from Aug. 18, 2021 to Jan. 31, 2022. The SESIR friends, posting on social media, etc. BSO must database system, or School Environmental Safety locate the student, arrest them and charge them Incident Reporting, collects data on the incidents accordingly; whether the threat was legitimate or of crime, violence and disruptive behaviors that a joke. Even as a joke, most students are expelled occur on school grounds, on school transportation from school. A criminal record can prevent and at off-campus, school-sponsored events. students from being accepted to college or from The district reported a total of 1,506 fights, 655 being able to pursue certain professions. threats and 544 physical attacks; incidents totaled Below the video was a message expressing 5,219 in this time period. that fake threats “disrupt school, waste law It’s important to first address the assertion enforcement resources and cause fear in families.” that incidents are increasing in schools across the “Since virtual school ended and all students nation. So far, the data is inconclusive, as a result returned to the classroom, we have seen an of incomplete data from this year and the past few increase in school threats throughout Broward. years. The increase in school threats is actually a Data from the 2020-2021 school year does not nationwide trend, mostly through the use of provide an accurate depiction of school violence, social media. BSO created the public service since most students were not on campus for the announcement in response,” Sergeant Tom majority of the year as a result of the COVID-19 Thyroff with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Threat pandemic. When BCPS reopened for on-campus Management Unit said. “BSO has made dozens of learning in October 2020, relatively few MSD arrests for school threats and a lot of times the students returned — 3% of the senior class, 6% of suspect stated they were only joking and never the junior class, 13% of the sophomore class and actually intended to carry out their threat. The 22% of the freshmen class attended on-campus video was created to explain that all threats are learning, roughly 535 students in total. taken seriously, you will be arrested if a crime is This trend held for most of the district, committed and you will be prosecuted by the State On a district level, school staff were sent a especially at BCPS high schools. BCPS reported Attorney’s Office. That is why we urge everyone to video message by Superintendent Dr. Vickie 1,022 SESIR incidents and only six of those Cartwright on Oct. 18, 2021 addressing an increase think before they post.” occurred at MSD. The numbers are significantly BSO has multiple different teams to help them lower than what would be expected if all students in school threats being made on social media. access threats and those who perpetrated them Cartwright explained how threats made through were present on campus. or were affected by them to ensure that it doesn’t Instagram and Snapchat by students are on an Data from the 2019-2020 school year is also exponential rise this school year and that she and happen again in the future. an inaccurate representation of data, since BCPS “BSO urges everyone to report suspicious her staff are working on combating the situation. schools closed on March 13, 2020 and remained activity to their School Resource Officer, school “We have been and are working closely with closed for the rest of the year, resulting in data for administration, family members or through only three-fourths of the school year. In that year, local law enforcement agencies,” Cartwright said the SaferWatch app or FortifyFL app. During in the video. “Furthermore we are providing MSD reported 42 incidents and BCPS reported additional security measures for the schools that investigations, BSO’s Threat Management 5,399 incidents. Unit detectives work in conjunction with our have been targeted.” The 2018-2019 school year was the last school Behavioral Health Services Team to assess risks The video was also used to announce a new year where students were fully in person. MSD social media campaign by the district set for Nov. and provide services to those individuals needing reported 93 incidents and BCPS reported a total assistance,” Thyroff said. “Our Behavioral Health 15 called #ThinkB4UPost. of 7,685 incidents. This is more than this current Licensed Clinicians work in collaboration with “We want to make sure that everyone is school year; however, if the current reporting a variety of resources including school social trends for MSD and the district continue to occur educated about the consequences and just the workers, school clinicians and outside providers lasting impact that this can leave in the life of a at the same rate, MSD would end the year with child,” BCPS spokesperson Keyla Concepcion said to ensure students are linked to the appropriate roughly 70 incidents and BCPS would end with 10,500, which would represent a decrease for MSD, in a Nov. 16, 2021 interview with Channel 7 News. community and behavioral health providers.” On Dec. 1, 2021, an MSD junior sent a The goal of the campaign was to remind but an increase for the district. It is impossible threatening text message in a group chat with students that posting threats, even as jokes, lead to predict if the numbers will double from the friends shortly after 9 p.m. to serious, long-lasting consequences. In Florida, first semester or not, which is why determining The text read, “I feel like school shooting conclusively that there is a rise in school violence threats are considered a second degree felony, tomorrow. When I sneeze it’s a signal to go to the with penalties of up to 15 years in prison. is difficult. bathroom ok? I hope y’all aren’t snitches.” “There’s been too many shootings over these “I haven’t looked at the data across the board
development of a middle schooler attempting to be in high school with its educational burden and greater demands for high school-type behavior by adults and others around them.”
Looking Locally
School Violence Threats
violent outbreaks Over the course of the 2021-2022 school year, violent events occur at local schools
Advertisements • School Violence 18 Feature
October 2021
An MSD student provoked a tussling match with her teacher when she tried to wrestle away the teacher’s laptop in an effort to see her grades, law enforcement records show.
Nov. 3, 2021
oct. 22, 2021
A stabbing of a young student during a fight at an apartment complex occurred near his school, Coral Glades High School, police said. The youth, whose name was not released, suffered about four stab wounds, police said. He was taken to Broward Health North for non-life threatening injuries.
At Riverglades Elementary School, school administrators told deputies a teacher’s aide grabbed a student by the arm because the student was misbehaving and swinging his lunchbox, records show. There is no other information about this event.
Design by Julia Landy Screenshots circulated among students and some staff late in the evening and were reported to BSO. BSO contacted their Threat Management Unit and conducted an investigation. The student was arrested at his home in the early morning of Dec. 2, 2021. MSD Principal Michelle Kefford notified parents of the threat Thursday morning with a ParentLink call. “I also want to remind all students and families how seriously any and all threats are taken. Parents, please speak with your children to remind them that any threat — even if they think it is a joke — will result in serious consequences. In Florida, a threat made against a school is a second-degree felony. Students also face school disciplinary measures as outlined in the Code Book for Student Conduct, including expulsion,” Kefford said in the pre-recorded call. The student was charged with one count of writing a threat to conduct a mass shooting and ordered to remain in detention until Dec. 24, 2021. He was initially suspended for 10 days, and was subsequently expelled from BCPS. “Threats are a constant issue facing a lot of schools today, and the schools should take larger steps to ensure everyone’s safety,” sophomore Yael Wienfeld said. On Jan. 14, a code red was called after an unidentified individual ran onto campus unannounced. Security and law enforcement took immediate action, locating and identifying the individual, as quickly as possible. The individual is a current MSD student, but he was not wearing his proper ID and did not hear security calling out to him when he entered campus. Students and staff practice code red procedures once a month to ensure that if a situation like the one here ever arose, they would know what to do. Rumors of another threat circulated in the evening of Jan. 19. Students leaving after school athletic practices reported that they saw an unidentified man allegedly yelling in the direction of the school. Students interpreted his statements as a threat of violence. The incident was immediately reported to BSO as well as Kefford. The investigation concluded that there was no credible threat. Once again, like with past incidents, Kefford sent out a ParentLink call to reassure parents and families of their child’s safety and the current situation. “We try to keep our parents and students as informed as possible, not only do we have the calls we have the Remind app specific to classes,” Kefford said. “We also have the website, and that’s always updated with current information.”
on campus this year. Two of them involved teachers. On Oct. 15, 2021, an unidentified junior attempted to wrestle a laptop from an intern substitute. Intern substitutes fill in for a teacher who will be out for 6 weeks or longer and are responsible for lesson planning and grading. According to the BSO report, the incident started over the student’s grade. The substitute attempted to close her school laptop to prevent
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but it wasn’t violent; however there were tons of people. People from the cafeteria and gazebo all gathered around to watch.” A few minutes later, two other students began fighting near the same area. According to additional videos, security broke this fight up quickly. According to the BCPS discipline matrix, students that fight on campus face suspension. In an effort to dismiss all students at
Since virtual school ended and all students returned to the classroom, we have seen an increase in school threats throughout Broward. The increase in school threats is actually a nationwide trend, mostly through the use of social media. BSO created the public service announcement in response.
Physical Incidents
Multiple physical altercations have occurred
Nov. 10, 2021
Nov. 4, 2021
Deputies responded to Somerset Parkland Academy after a juvenile student became “physical” and “belligerent” toward staff, BSO records show.
Sergeant Tom Thyroff with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Threat Management Unit the student from “accessing sensitive private information,” and the student tried to “pry the laptop open.” The two fought for control of the laptop. No one was injured. The student was suspended and had their schedule changed to another class. The intern substitute only worked at MSD during the first semester. On Nov. 1, 2021, during 8th period, a freshman student physically attacked a teacher. During the altercation, the student put the teacher in a headlock and struck another student repeatedly with the classroom phone. According to a parent link from Kefford, MSD’s school security staff and school resource officers responded immediately, and there were no serious injuries. The student was arrested. At her arraignment, the student was placed under house arrest, but the judge granted her permission to continue to play recreational tennis and volunteer at the Parkland Public Library. She was suspended from MSD and was ultimately expelled from BCPS. The teacher from this incident declined to be interviewed. On Friday, Feb. 18 during B lunch, three female students began fighting outside of the cafeteria. According to student videos of the incident, Assistant Principal Jay Milmed broke the fight up quickly after it broke out. “I only saw a bit of it, but there was Milmed who broke it up. Students stood on benches [and] tables to videotape it,” senior Matthew Garnecki said. “There was a grabbing headlock motion,
Student attacks another student after spilling coffee on them at Coral Springs High School, “during this unprovoked attack, the defendant… placed the victim… in a headlock and bit her right pinky finger,” deputies wrote.
Feb. 18, 2022
During an altercation, a 15-year-old student is seen being tackled by a 17-year-old. The student was put into a choke hold before striking him in the head over and over.
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lunch early and clear the crowded courtyard, administration rang the class change bell four minutes earlier than normal, at 12:59 p.m. Then, the bell rang again at the regularly scheduled time of 1:03 p.m. and the late bell also rang at the normal 1:09 p.m. time. The unexpected timing of the extra bell frightened some students and teachers across campus who had A lunch that day and were in classrooms during the fights. Administration did not come over the intercom to announce the early bell ring. “Especially after there was no announcement, I feared the worst. That someone had rung the bell in hopes of getting the students out into the hallways,” sophomore Victoria Zaharis said. “Even when I saw other students walking about the hallways, I was still tentative to go out there.” In between these bells, the fire alarm sounded unexpectedly. Administration came onto the intercom to tell students and staff to disregard this alarm.
Dealing with Incidents
The various physical altercations and school shooting threats have made MSD students, parents and teachers concerned about school safety. The recent incidents have shed light on the ways in which the county, and specifically MSD, deal with the different incidents and work together to reduce violence from occurring in the first place. According to the BCPS Code of Conduct and the SESIR reporting definitions, there are 26 outlined
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Feb. 23, 2022
A code red at JP Taravella occurred after the Coral Springs Police Department received a suspicious call. The school was evacuated safely and later it was said there was no threat.
Feature • School Violence 19
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incidents; these include, but are not limited to, fighting, physical attack, threat/intimidation, drug possession or use, drug sale or distribution, harassment, battery, sex offenses or harassment and bullying. Each incident outlined in the Code of Conduct has different levels of involvement by administration, guidance counselors, district and/ or law enforcement. This depends on the type of incident committed and the general seriousness of the offense. Incidents are formally known as behavioral incidents and therefore lie under the discipline section of the responsibilities of MSD assistant principals. Each grade level at MSD has an assigned assistant principal to deal with academics, communication and such discipline issues. Ninth grade discipline is assigned to Assistant Principal Kristine Knapp, 10th grade to Assistant Principal Daniel Lechtman, 11th grade to Assistant Principal Anna Koltunova and 12th grade to Assistant Principal Sandi Davis. When dealing with the student, whatever the incident is, the assistant principal must follow what is outlined in the BCPS Code of Conduct Discipline Matrix. “If there is an incident brought to our attention, we investigate it. Once we’ve confirmed it occurred we follow the discipline matrix,” Koltunova said. “We don’t get to choose the degree of our punishment; it’s a common misconception we are tougher on some students than others, but we are required to follow exactly what the discipline matrix outlines.” Assistant principals deal with all incidents concerning students of their grade level or incidents involving their departments; however, there are some ways in which it varies. “Parents are contacted for all incidents; it is a collaborative environment with parents and administration,” Koltunova said. “[For assistant principals] primarily it is grade level specific as to who is involved. However, if it is multiple grade levels or an assistant principal is absent, it depends which assistant principal handles it. Generally, whichever assistant principal started investigating the incident is the one who takes charge. Also, if the incident happens to deal with a certain department, that assistant principal will take charge of it.” Occasionally Kefford is involved, for incidents of the “highest infractions” that will result in expulsion or larger consequences. Additionally,
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National Crisis Text Line: 741741 she is involved when a parent requests principal involvement. The district is involved when a student is expelled or during incidents like drug-related cases, in order for the district to ensure the student is put on a proper plan of recovery. Law enforcement is involved when an incident is a criminal offense. These incidents include “violent incidents with physical injury,” like kidnapping, homicide, battery and sexual battery and “violent incidents without physical injury,” like arson, bullying, breaking and entering, disruption on campus-major, fighting, harassment, hazing, other major offenses, physical attack, robbery and sexual harassment. Additionally, certain incidents are required to be reported to the Florida State Board of Education, these are determined by whether incidents are considered severe enough to require the involvement of a School Resource Officer or incidents to be “Reported to Law Enforcement,” i.e. the incidents listed above.
Rehabilitation for Offenders
For students who perpetuate violence or commit a criminal act on campus, there are a multitude of BCPS resources to help. The PROMISE program offers an opportunity for students who committed a criminal offense at school to prevent the incident from being documented on their criminal record. The goal
major disruptions on campus, trespassing, use and/or possession of alcohol, sale or attempted sale of alcohol, use and/or possession of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, mutual combat fighting, larceny/theft for amounts larger than $750 and vandalism/damage to property resulting in damage worth $1,000 or more. If a part of the PROMISE program, a student will be sent to one of the district’s alternative schools. The district has alternative high schools and teen parent programs in addition to centers for behavioral, discipline and external suspension/expulsion abeyance. After the student’s completion of the PROMISE program, the student’s school has the option to place them on a behavioral plan to ensure they stay on a good track. Participation in the program is voluntary. If a parent refuses to have their child participate, the student and their case will be transferred to the Juvenile Justice System of Care, likely resulting in their arrest. Since the deadly shooting at MSD on Feb. 14, 2018 that resulted in the loss of 17 lives, the PROMISE program has drawn a lot of criticism. As a former BCPS student, the shooter had a long history of behavioral issues, which ultimately landing him in the PROMISE program, which he never completed. Some parents and community members now question if the risks of the PROMISE program outweigh the benefits.
We don’t get to choose the degree of our punishment; it’s a common misconception that we are tougher on some students than others, but we are required to follow exactly what the discipline matrix outlines. MSD Assistant Principal Anna Koltunova is to give students who have committed serious infractions a second chance to prevent them from having a criminal record, especially if it can prevent the student from going to college or getting a job. A student is considered PROMISE eligible as long as they are 11 years of age and enrolled in a district 6-12 school program, all students at MSD meet such criteria. PROMISE program-eligible crimes include
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Additionally, BCPS has a substance Workback program. According to the American Addiction Centers, research shows that individuals with substance abuse disorders are “associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including suicide, premature death, comorbid mental illness and violence,” and “up to 75% of individuals who begin treatment for a report have engaged in physical assault, mugging, using a weapon to attack
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another person and other violent crimes.” Programs like the substance Workback program aim to help students with drug abuse issues to recover, which can help prevent future violence. If a student has a record of tobacco, drug or alcohol abuse, the student completes the statecertified drug/alcohol rehabilitation or treatment program with a certified addiction professional. The student may return to a regular school program upon successful completion of the prescribed rehabilitation or treatment program. The District substance abuse case manager monitors and verifies that the student has completed the program. If a student is expelled, BCPS has the option to place a student on a disciplinary program where the student has the opportunity to redeem themselves as well as continue their education. Each Workback agreement is determined by district case managers, commonly resulting in a unique Workback plan for each student. If the student commits any incidents like physical attack, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct/offense, false accusation of school staff, gang activity, etc, then they are not eligible for the Workback Program.
Resources for Victims
the schools they are eligible to attend.” Parents of the student must report the incident to the principal and within 15 days and fill out the Hope Scholarship Initial Notification Form. The following schools are eligible for students to transfer to on a Hope Scholarship: Piper High School, Hollywood Hills High School, Dillard High School, Hallandale High School, Plantation High School, Boyd Anderson High School, Coconut Creek High School, Stranahan High School, Northeast High School and Everglades High School. Within 48 hours, the student will receive their acceptance letter to the school of their choice, and the parent can contact the student’s current school to withdraw. If the student does not want to attend the available schools or prefers to attend a school in another district, a private school or a charter
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parents another avenue to insight into their child and the school setting. School counselors and psychologists can serve as a listening ear for students and another advising figure. Serving as a trusted adult in a school setting gives counselors first-hand access to aiding students in many struggles they may face. In addition to seeking advice from their parents, students often lean on school counselors for advice and mentoring. “There is a critical need for mental health services in school and in the community. Funding for these services that would last beyond COVID[-19] is something substantial that the government can provide. The government can continue to allow insurance coverage for practitioners who provide virtual therapy services. This coverage always seems to be in jeopardy of ending,” Walser deLara said. “There
There is a critical need for mental health services in school and in the community. Funding for these services that would last beyond COVID[-19] is something substantial that the government can provide. The government can continue to allow insurance coverage for practitioners who provide virtual therapy services. This coverage always seems to be in jeopardy of ending.
MSD has a guidance counselor assigned to each grade level that provides counseling for academic success, career development success and personal social and emotional success. Ninth grade is assigned to Michelle Chirichella, 10th grade to Karen Marine, 11th and 12th grade last names A-L to Jerry Turmaine and 11th and 12th last names M-Z to Sharon Dearen. School counselors “provide comprehensive counseling programs that incorporate prevention and intervention with continuous academic, career, and personal/ development activities that will prepare them for meaningful participation in a diverse, changing world.” If an incident is severe enough or affects a student’s academics, guidance counselors can become involved to help the student. MSD also has an on campus wellness center with school psychologists to assist students. “We have the wellness center which is here on campus, fully staffed with social workers, mental health professionals, and different staff members to help students. We also have family counselors that can work with families if a student needs that,” Kefford said. “We have a peer counseling program which does a lot of those social emotional lessons and things like that. There are a lot of resources here; the best sources being wellness and or guidance.” In addition, the Hope Scholarship Program, which is available to all Florida students, is a form of support for victims. The goal is to provide the funds needed for the student to enroll and attend another school if they were the victim of violence at school. Any BCPS student who reports they were the victim of a qualified incident at a K-12 public school, any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity, riding the bus, or waiting at the bus stop is eligible; these incidents include battery, fighting, kidnapping, sexual assault and sexual offenses. “There are 12 to 13 incidents if [a student] is a victim of that qualifies for the Hope Scholarship,” Assistant Principal Anna Koltunova said. “[Students] must submit the paperwork to a Broward school email where they will be given instructions on the steps they need to follow and
Dr. Ellen Walser deLara, adolescent development and school violence expert school, the parent must contact the school they are interested in directly. “The bottom line is it’s supposed to be offered to victims who may no longer feel comfortable attending their school anymore,” Assistant Principal Jay Milmed said. “At the beginning of the school year, the state required schools to give students a Hope Scholarship form to those who did not want to wear a mask on campus.”
Solutions & Resources
With school violence making national headlines, many questions surrounding the solution to these headlines have proliferated. Combating school violence takes the efforts of everyone within the community: students, parents, teachers and school counselors. Students are encouraged to report any risk factors to a trusted school official or parent. By reporting risk factors, students are taking an active role in the prevention of school violence or further deterioration of another student’s mental health. Students should also reach out to those they feel may be struggling. Extending a friendly hand to those in need shows they have support. Parents can help by educating themselves on potential warning signs, having regular conversations with their child and staying involved within the school community. By educating themselves of warning signs like a student’s decline in grades, a sudden lack of interest in social settings, sudden quitting of previously interested sports and so much more, parents are able to play a role in noticing their child’s overall decline. By conversing with their child, parents can establish an open and regular chain of communication. Involving themselves within their child’s school community, allows
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are laws in every state against bullying, a typical precursor to school violence; however, some of these laws don’t have a great deal of impact. State governments, in particular, should monitor their laws’ effectiveness by looking at the incidence rates of school violence in each school district.” The Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program works alongside local communities to recognize and minimize acts of targeted violence/terrorism. In addition to prevention efforts, the TVTP works with those who have already been radicalized to violence in hopes of intervening. In addition to the TVTP, the CDC utilizes a fourstep method to addressing school violence. First, the problem surrounding school violence must be defined. This includes discovering how widespread the issue is, who is involved in the issue and where this issue is occurring. Next, figure out how this increase of violence affects students and discover methods to increase protective measures and minimize risk factors. Third, the new method must be tested to evaluate how well the plan works. Lastly, the CDC aims for widespread adoption of the prevention plan. With many students, parents and school staff readjusting back to in-person learning, only time will tell whether or not an actual increase of school violence for the 2021-2022 school year has occurred or if society has become more sensitive to these issues causing the increase in discussion and media attention. Regardless, experiencing school violence can have lasting impacts on students, parents, staff and the surrounding community. To minimize school violence nationally, it takes a vested interest from each and every person in the school community. Story by
Kate Becker, Haley Jackson, and Alison LaTorre
Feature • School Violence 23
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Badges, Bag Checks
and beyond I
ID Badges
dentification badges are mandatory and security personnel are located at all entrances to verify that all students coming onto campus are wearing the proper ID around their necks each morning. On the occasion that a student has lost their ID, they can receive a free temporary sticker badge. After a student has exceeded three free replacement badges, they will have to purchase a new ID for $5 in the Student Affairs office. “After losing my original ID, I went to the student affairs office where they printed a new one for me, and it was really a simple process because it took five minutes max,” sophomore Frederique Faucher said. Random ID checks conducted by security during personalization classes have also been implemented. Photo by Briana Martin
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Central Security Staff
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SD has the largest number of security personnel in Broward County Public Schools, with 18 central security staff members led by Campus Security Manager De Erika Carter. They monitor entry points throughout the school day, ensure students are where they are supposed to be and maintain order during passing periods and both lunches. “Our main job is making sure our students and our staff remain safe, making sure we don’t have anyone on our campus that is not supposed to be here and making sure everyone goes home the same way they got here,” Carter said. Photo by Rayne
Welser
Entry Points
uring arrival and dismissal, there are three entry and exit points for students and staff: the main gates located at the front of the school, the senior lot and the bus loop. During the school day, there is only one entry point that visitors are permitted to enter through, which is the main office. Visitors must use the buzzer and present proper identification, like a student ID or driver’s license, to be permitted to enter campus. “During fire drills, arrival and dismissal times, entry points are opened; otherwise, our gates remain closed,” Campus Security Manager De Erika Carter said. Under special circumstances, security officials will allow items to be picked up at the main red gates, such as food deliveries for club activities, during or after school hours. Photo by Briana Martin
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Metal-Detecting Wands
tarting this spring, Broward County Public Schools will begin using metaldetecting wands in response to an increase in social media threats and violence at schools. Any bags brought on campus will be subject to random bag scans as a preventative measure for both students and staff. This has already been implemented at athletic events. “These are all preventative measures to maximize security at school,” Assistant Principal Sandra Davis said. Photo courtesy of Michael Laughlin/Tribune News Service
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Cameras
n the past four years, there have been numerous updates to surveillance cameras. On-campus, a section of security personnel is responsible for monitoring all cameras during school hours. Additionally, BCPS has access to all cameras 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Broward Sheriff’s Office can also remotely access surveillance cameras at MSD when deemed necessary, such as during a code red situation when it is crucial for police to be immediately aware of what is happening. The updates to the security system were an outcome of the BSO being unable to view live footage during the shooting that occurred on Feb. 14, 2018 and took the lives of 17 MSD students and staff members. Photo by Glory Lee
Bag Checks
tudents who walk onto campus with an additional backpack or duffel bag are subject to bag checks conducted by security personnel. The purpose of these inspections is to check that the items being brought onto school grounds are not weapons or other illegal material. “Although it may feel annoying and extra, [the bag checks are] necessary to keep our school safe,” world history teacher Sofia Capezza said. Many athletes bring additional bags daily to hold sports equipment necessary for after-school practices and games. “It can be a bit of a hassle to get my duffel bag checked because it holds my sports equipment, shoes, and uniform, but I understand that it’s a cautionary measure to keep our school safe so the extra minute it takes to get checked doesn’t really bother me,” sophomore Gabriella Caro said. Photo by Rayne Welser
Locked Doors on Campus
ll doors on campus, including the doors to classrooms, are locked at all times to maintain security on campus. “In the event of an emergency, locked doors are essential to securing our campus,” Campus Security Manager De Erika Carter said. Most doors automatically lock once closed and are only able to be opened by teachers and janitorial staff with the proper keys. In emergency situations, locked doors prevent intruders from entering classrooms. Photo by Glory Lee
MSD enforces new and existing protocols to maintain campus safety
Privacy Screens
rivacy screens are a new addition to the doors and windows of the main office, Student Affairs, guidance office and cafeteria. The burgundy-andsilver-colored screens display the MSD mascot – the Eagle – and serve as both an aesthetic and security decision because they make it harder for those on the outside to view what is happening on the inside of buildings and classrooms. “Because the school was built so long ago, administration is on an initiative to beautify the school, and [privacy screens] are also a security measure because they prevent outsiders from seeing in,” Campus Security Manager De Erika Carter said.
Photo by Malena Molina
Feature • School Safety Procedures 25
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enougH Is
Design by Lily Singer
Enough W aking up on the morning of Feb. 14, 2018, 17 families in Parkland, Florida went about their day like any other, unaware that in less than 24 hours, their lives would be irreparably changed. Once again, the everyday mundaneness of school was shattered by the sound of gunfire and the fearful shouts of students as a gunman destroyed their world. Following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the phrase “Never Again” was adopted by many individuals. They promised that never again would students have to hide under their desks to avoid an active shooter. Never again would children have to see their classmates be murdered in front of them. Never again would there be a school shooting. Just over three months later on May 18, the next mass school shooting occurred at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, resulting in the death of 10 students. In the time between the MSD and Santa Fe shootings, 14 other school shootings occurred in the U.S., causing a total of six deaths. School shootings are a uniquely American epidemic. Before the MSD and Santa Fe High School shootings, there were various others: Columbine High School, Virginia Tech University, Sandy Hook Elementary School; 20 years later, these horrible massacres continue to happen. According to research conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun violence organization, there have been 102 school shootings since 2018. This alarming number has raised the question: why do school shootings continue to happen? The reasons aren’t surprising. One of the main reasons is that everyone refuses to compromise. In the aftermath of each school shooting, polarizing debates surrounding gun rights and school safety reignite. Campaigns for more extensive gun control emerge, while some people claim that no new law could have prevented the heinous act. The real causes of school shootings— untreated mental illness and relaxed gun laws—get lost in a haze of these debates, so nothing changes. Politicians need to wake up. Gun violence is not a partisan issue; it is life or death. Offering “thoughts and prayers” cannot stop future school shootings.
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Thoughts and prayers are inadequate when children have to hide from bullets. Thoughts and prayers are inadequate when students have trauma and PTSD for the rest of their lives. This phrase achieves nothing but a moment of comfort, until the next shooting occurs. The horrific cycle of school shootings continues to repeat itself; the school is different, the names and faces of the victims change, but the trauma remains the same. We do not get the chance to fully comprehend what is happening before the next shooting occurs. We become numb to the violence to the point where it is no longer shocking to hear about tragic events on the news. It becomes a part of our daily lives. There are numerous actions schools can take to prevent shootings including labeling hard corners in each classroom,
Society fails to prevent school shootings in the years following the MSD tragedy
gun control is as controversial as it is in the U.S., where murders — including mass murders — committed with guns are extremely common; the U.S. has by far the highest homicide-by-firearm rate among developed countries. The difference between the U.S. and other countries is easy access to guns. Following mass shootings, numerous other countries have successfully enacted common sense gun reform. After a 1996 mass shooting at Dunblane Elementary School in Scotland left 16 students and one teacher dead, U.K. Parliament was able to ban the private ownership of most handguns including a semi-automatic weapons ban and mandatory registration for shotgun owners by the end of 1997. Due to these strict gun laws, there has not been another school shooting in the U.K. since 1996, and Britain has one of the lowest levels of gun violence in the world.
Raising the legal age to purchase a gun to 21 and conducting background checks are two crucial laws that can help firearms avoid falling into the wrong hands; they would prevent school-age or unstable shooters from easily obtaining firearms. Gun shows also promote the unregulated sale of weapons, creating a loophole in these laws. This is extremely harmful because it can result in dangerous firearms ending up in the hands of mentally ill individuals who have the intent to cause harm. Another important issue that has failed to be addressed following previous mass shootings is untreated mental illness, which can be a major factor in one’s likelihood to become a school shooter. During a study conducted in 2019 from Stanford University’s School of Medicine, it was discovered that out of 35 mass shootings, 28 of the shooters had untreated mental illnesses. Society has created a negative stigma around these mental health disorders, burdening people who struggle with these issues. Despite the progress in recent years of bringing to light the importance of mental health care, many people are afraid of being stigmatized if they admit they need help. It is vital that the stigma associated with these illnesses is broken so more people will be inclined to receive proper help. Additionally, access to mental health Yet, in the U.S. where we have had implementing doors that automatically professionals is another key factor that hundreds of mass shootings and nothing prevents people from receiving the help lock, and checking identification badges has been done in regards to stricter gun each morning. However, it is not the they need. It can be challenging for an laws. responsibility of the school to prevent a individual to access help from mental “[In the U.S.] we have this broken shooting; it is their responsibility to teach health professionals; this is especially true record cycle of what responses to mass a future generation of students. in rural areas which are often medically shootings or school shootings look like. School shooting prevention should underserved. … Everybody demands action, and then not be solely placed on schools; rather it Paying for treatment can be an issue as absolutely nothing gets done. Whereas in well. Although most insurers cover mental should be placed on society. The minor Great Britain, they actually were able to changes schools can make to prevent a health to some degree now, not everyone get stuff done,” mass shooting expert at shooting totally glosses over the bigger has insurance. Young adults, who are less the State University of New York Jaclyn issue: how the shooter obtained the gun likely to have insurance, are also at higher Schildkraut said in a March 2021 article in the first place and what unresolved risk for addiction and other mental health published in the Smithsonian Magazine. mental illness has urged them to do so. issues. A majority of Americans believe we For example, if a student came to class There isn’t just one solution to this need more security around buying guns. with a gun with the intention of hurting traumatic problem; it’s going to take a According to a Quinnipiac poll, 67% of their classmates, no hard corner, locked united effort. Until our political leaders Americans support an assault weapons door, or ID badge would be able to save can work together and have a serious lives; only legislative change can do that. ban, 83% agree with mandatory waiting discussion about gun control in our periods when buying a gun, and 97% of On a federal scale, there are many country, we will continue to watch issues that need to be addressed in regards gun owners support universal background grieving parents bury their children, and to school shooting prevention, mainly lax checks before a gun purchase. we will have nothing to offer them but Despite many Americans agreeing that thoughts and prayers. Opinion by Lily Singer, gun laws and untreated mental illness. First is the issue of gun control. There we need common sense gun reform, our Madison Friedman and Bailey Carter; graphic politicians have done nothing. is no other country in the world where by Julia Landy
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In the U.S. we have this broken record cycle of what responses to school shootings look like. Everybody demands action, and then absolutely nothing gets done.
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Jaclyn Schildkraut, mass shooting expert at the State University of New York
in
Guns are sold without a background check
+33T 67 67%
Americans support an assault weapons ban
+3T 97 97%
Gun owners support universal background checks before a gun purchase.
Source: Quinnipiac poll
Opinion • School Shootings 27
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