DO THEY FEEL SAFE?: AREA STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL SAFETY SURVEY

Our students are concerned about their safety.

That's the results of a USA Weekend nationwide poll of teen-agers regarding school safety taken last fall. The results were released in today's insert in the Southeast Missourian to correspond with the anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., that left 13 dead.

Twenty Southeast Missouri and southern Illinois teen-agers participated in the survey. Several did so at the request of parents who wanted to know their opinions on the subject. Other parents chose not to complete the survey with students, but used their answers to spark discussions about safety.

"I definitely read my daughter's answers when she was done," said Betty Martin. "I think it's important that we understand how they're feeling."

"We did it together," said Carol Powell, who is a school counselor. "I want to know how my child feels inside the buildings."

Although high-profile school shooting tragedies like the one at Columbine have given students pause, many said they have not allowed the fear to control their lives.

"I'm not going to be scared all the time because you shouldn't be scared at school," said Keegan Reker, a student at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

Like Reker, about 15 area youth who responded to the survey feel safe from violence at school. Of those who did not feel safe from violence, two took the time to write essays about their feelings.

"No matter who does what, there's always gonna be violence, and no one's gonna be safe from it," wrote a student from Tamms, Ill.

"Today's teenage violence is comparative to a civil war of the 90s," wrote a student from R.O. Hawkins Junior High in Jackson. "Today's teen-agers need more protection. Sadly, it is from themselves."

While area students felt school administrators and staff do a good job of protecting schools without the benefit of metal detectors or other defensive security measures, a majority said a major violent incident could occur at their school. Conflict resolution classes, security officers and the like would be of benefit, as would an increased presence of staff and school resource officers in the hallways, they said..

"I think a lot of people are looking down on schools now, whether they're good schools or not," said Rachel Morse, a student at Nell Holcomb School. "It depends on what kind of a person you are, and every time they put metal detectors or anything in, if they want to they can find another way to get around it."

Guns are plentiful in the region because hunting is popular. But even when a student doesn't have access to a gun in his or her own household, students said anybody that want a gun could probably get one within a day. Most respondents had seen pocket knives or other items that could be considered weapons in school, but few felt the items were being brought for use as a weapon.

"Usually people don't bring pocket knives to do damage," Morse said. "They carry them to be used for other reasons."

The increases in school violence and weapons found in schools have caused many school districts to enact no-tolerance policies, even if no harm is intended. The words "I'll kill you" will elicit an immediate response from school officials, even if the speaker is joking. Several youth said they have seen classmates suspended or called into meetings with counselors and administrators for making such remarks.

"They're really cracking down on what we say and do," said Notre Dame Regional High School senior Jill Eichhorn. "It gets annoying because you feel like someone is always watching you, listening to you, but in the end I guess it serves a good purpose."

Eichhorn believes more violent incidents are occurring because life is more stressful for teen-agers. People manage stress differently, she said, and those who don't manage it well or don't have mentors like an adult or peer to help them can make bad decisions, she said.

"I know it sounds bad, but I sleep when I'm stressed," she said. "I sleep and I don't have to worry about it. When I wake up, I'm calm and I feel I can make decisions about things."

Eric Niswonger, a Central High School senior, prefers physical exertion to help relieve stress. "I like to go outside and just do something and not even think about it," he said.

Leopold High School student Ashton James said stress likely contributes to many acts of violence. It had to be a factor in the Columbine shootings, he said.

"I remember wondering what could be so bad that they would want to kill and go after other people," he said.

Area students hope things will get better in the future. Limitations on labeling and more tolerance all around is a good start, they said. Also important is that people recognize the need for increased awareness so that no one who needs help gets missed," they said.

"The most important thing an educator or parent can do is to talk with a teen," wrote a Jackson schools student. "Going over the interviews of victims of violence or even talking to them in person can make teens realize how harsh the consequences can be.

"Desensitized students need to be taught compassion again."