Imagine, walking in to your classroom full of vibrant second graders. As you begin your lesson you look to the back of the classroom to see that one of the boys in the class is trying to hide something from you. As you journey on back to his desk you notice that what the boy is trying to hide is more than a toy or a piece of candy but it is a grenade. You can stop imagining because for one second grade teacher in Chicago this is a reality. Luckily no one was hurt in this incident. While it was an old grenade the bomb squad did find residue that could have set off a grenade if detonated. When did it become a plausible idea for a parent to buy their child a grenade let alone, allow them to bring it to school? We are all aware of the tragedies that have occurred that have caused many children and young adults to lose their lives while at school. When did school transition from a safe haven to just as dangerous as the outside world? With all of the deaths in schools that have occurred, steps have been taken to improve safety in our schools however, students are still dying. 

            After the Columbine shootings in 1999, school security has grown tremendously to improve the standard of safety in schools. One of the major differences in schools since Columbine is the addition to metal detectors. One-hundred thousand schools after Columbine added these miracle workers to enforce security. Every student in these schools would be required to walk through these metal detectors to ensure the administration that their school was safe. As education students we have learned the importance of having an open school environment so that students feel a comfortable atmosphere. But do metal detectors help or hinder schools? The most critical role for schools and universities is to provide a setting conducive to learning. If students and staff don't feel safe, education often takes a back seat. In recent years, many institutions have paid greater attention to how they can enhance safety and security on their premises.

School systems have been very reliant on physical security such as metal detectors and police officers since the Columbine shootings occurred. But while some deaths may have been prevented due to this security there still have been hundreds of deaths. So, it is easy to wonder if this form of security is really the best for our schools. Metal detectors can identify most fire arms and knifes. However, this on possible if the staff is accurately trained to identify these objects. Metal detectors can not tell a difference between a gun and a belt buckle. Metal detectors are only effective if everyone passes through them and there are no other ways for students or faculty to enter the building. It is hard to argue that metal detectors make school unsafe but it is easy to wonder if metal detectors can actually provide the necessary safety. When the planes hit the twin towers, on September 11^th, terrorist had to pass through multiple metal detectors in order to get on the plane. Not only were their multiple metal detectors but there was also strict security. So if terrorist can get through some of the toughest security in the U.S. and cause harm, so could a fifteen year old student passing through school security.

When the Virginia tech shootings happened in 2007, there were multiple warning signs that were presented that if taken more seriously could have prevented the tragedy. School administration should start to ease away from the reliance of physical security and start listening to students. Many students may be trying to reach out for some sort of attention through their work and as teachers while it may be difficult, we need to recognize it and take action. As teachers, we wouldn’t hesitate to report if you believe a student is being abused so why wouldn’t teachers report suspicious behavior that could cause danger to other students.

Death is schools have become an unfortunate epidemic in our school system. Even with the advances in technology and security students are still losing their lives. Bottom line, a renaissance needs to occur to that no child ever loses their life while attending school.