LETTERS: SOPHOMORE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY

To the editor:

I am a 16-year-old high school student. I am a sophomore, and now each day I wonder if it is going to be safe to walk through our school doors. I hear people say the violence won't happen here, but that is exactly what the other kids at their schools thought. I am even sure their parents thought it would not happen there, but it did.

When I was in elementary school, I felt safe in school. We did not have to worry about teens coming to school with a gun and shooting our classmates. Now I am worried each day if it is safe. I do not feel as safe in school as I used to.

I believe today's movies, games and Internet have a lot to do with teens killing classmates and, yes, even their friends. I don't understand teen-agers who kill their classmates and parents. I wouldn't even have the guts to take my own life, let alone someone else's.

My question is, What are we going to do to bring back the feeling of being safe in our schools? How are we going to deal and cope with these school shootings?

I don't blame only the movies, games and Internet. I think these teens who do the shootings are not getting enough attention at home. Parents should spend more time with their children and less time with work or in front of the TV. I believe teen years are when kids need their parents most.

So, parents of today's teens, please take some time out. Find out what your teen-age children like to do with their spare time. Find out what kind of music they listen to. Start paying more attention to whom they are hanging out with. Let your teens know you are there for them when they need you and even when they don't. I believe these shootings are a cry for love and attention.

TONJA ACKLEY

Scott City