NEWS

Students speak about safety

A banner created by Scripps Ranch High School Key Club is signed by students during the safety rally held on the campus March 14. (courtesy of Scripps Ranch High School)

Students speak about safety

Local students took part in a national movement in which youth across the country organized to voice their concerns and advocate for responsible change. On March 14, the one-month anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, students united both to pay tribute to victims of the shooting and to push lawmakers to pass responsible gun legislation for student safety.

Two schools in Scripps Ranch organized staged “walk-ins,” holding on-campus rallies to give students a place to have their voices heard.

An email sent from Scripps Ranch High School (SRHS) on Monday, March 12, advised parents that the school would be conducting a safety week, which would include emergency drills and a school safety rally.

SRHS Principal Nicole DeWitt explained that on a monthly-basis, she meets with a student group called “My Student Summit” to discuss campus issues or other matters relevant to student life. At their last meeting, the students “brought up this idea [of a rally]. They had questions about the nationwide walkout in general and what they could do to try to organize something on campus,” she said.

Given the student interest in participating in the nationwide effort, while wishing to not be penalized, the SRHS administration determined that it would provide “a venue and a dedicated time on campus for students to participate,” DeWitt explained.

The school’s bell schedule was adjusted to accommodate the event, which took place after period three.

Scripps Ranch High School students participated in a safety rally within the campus on March 14. (Photo Credit: Cynthia Kurose)

Student organizers arranged to have speakers at the event, created a banner signed by SRHS students to show support for the victims of the Parkland shooting, and also prepared feedback cards for classmates to write down their school safety concerns and suggestions.

Caroline Lawler, a senior at SRHS, explained that she was glad administrators were supportive of students’ desire to participate in the nationwide event.

“Unlike many other schools in America, [SRHS] created an outlet for students’ voices to be heard instead of punishing those who chose to walk out,” she said.

Students felt that the rally was worthwhile.

“All of the speeches were very good, and the speakers … [successfully] delivered the messages that they were trying to get across,” Lawler explained.

One student speaker “mentioned that we should not remove guns, just make them harder to obtain for people who should not own them. The audience was very into it and there was a bigger turnout than I expected, which I thought was really cool,” Lawler added.

Hana Helders, a freshman at SRHS, shared her enthusiasm.

“I think it’s awesome that teenagers are voicing their opinions and making themselves heard. It’s a very important change that we need right now,” she said.

At Marshall Middle School, students were allowed to attend a gathering that began at 10 a.m. in the C lunch court. A message from the administration emailed to parents in the afternoon estimated that about 300 students participated.

The schedule called for 17 minutes of silence once the students assembled — one symbolic minute for each life lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High massacre. Most middle school students are unable to stand in silence for 17 minutes. Some were talking and others stood on tables to address the crowd, according to some students in attendance. Others made signs and held them during the event.

At first, the gathering was rather loud during the planned time of silence. That’s when seventh-grader Rosy Barba stood up and told the crowd to be silent.

“I don’t think they were really taking it that seriously, so I stood up on a table and I told everybody that we needed to be silent for the students who lost their lives,” Barba said, adding that another student then also called for silence. “I just thought that, okay, if we’re going to be out here, we seriously need to be silent. This isn’t some joke. It’s a serious matter.”

When asked how she had the initiative to attempt to silence the crowd, Barba credited her mother, Lucy Lidot.

“I guess my mom just wants me to be the best version of myself that I can be,” Barba said. “And I just really want to make a change in the world.”

Once the time of silence ended, some individuals, hesitant at first, began to rise and address the students. However, only a short amount of time remained.

“There were just so many people that gave such kind and respectful speeches,” said Isabella Davies, a seventh grader at Marshall. “I could tell by the way they were talking and their word choice that they sounded very passionate about this and they really wanted gun laws to be restricted.”

While Davies had hoped to say a few words to the crowd, she said it was simply too difficult since so many wanted to express themselves.

“I was planning on saying how it’s pretty scary to think students our age, younger and older, are discussing this, along with the fact that there are students our age that are scared to go to school because they are afraid a person with a gun will come and kill them,” Davies explained. “I feel it’s not right for people to be scared. These people who are with a gun and they shoot people, they have something up with their mind and that also leads me to believe that America needs to make mental health care more affordable and more available to those who want it or need it.”

Barba said that she was one of the students who was able to address the crowd.

“I think I said we really need to make a change in the world right now because the world is really divided at this time in our lives and we are the children that need to stand up if nobody else is doing it,” she said. “We need to understand that we aren’t just kids anymore. We need to really show people that we can do more than just sit around.”

Barba said she made a few signs in one of her classes and handed them out during the rally. She recalled that one sign said, “Protect your kids, not your guns.” The other said, “Guns aren’t living, but I am. Which one would you choose?”

Both Davies and Barba stated they are not afraid of going to school because they are confident the staff and administration at Marshall Middle School keeps the campus safe.

Both said they would feel very uncomfortable if teachers at their school were armed with guns to protect them, stating that they didn’t trust that sort of situation.

“We shouldn’t fight fire with fire,” Barba said.

“I think the best thing we can do is changing our gun laws,” she added, carefully stressing each point as if in deep thought. “Teachers shouldn’t even have guns in the first place. We shouldn’t be concerned with that. Our schools are supposed to be safe places where children can go to get an education, to grow up and, who knows, cure cancer or solve global warming. Yeah, teachers shouldn’t be armed like that. It’s not going to solve anything.”

Both students summed up their thoughts resulting from the issue at hand and the day’s events. Davies had a message for parents.

“Some people may think children appear to be oblivious to what’s happening. However, children — we’re very bright — and even if we don’t know exactly what’s going on, we have this instinct that something’s not right,” Davies said. “So, if you feel that you need to tell your child something bad is going on, and not to be afraid, go ahead and tell them because if they don’t know, they’re going to be even more afraid.”

Barba had some advice for people who might want to make a difference in the world.

“No matter who you think you are, no matter how young you are, no matter how old you are, you can really just get out there and make a change,” she stated. “I don’t want people to doubt themselves because it’s really not that hard. Just stand up and make your voice heard.”

466 thoughts on “Students speak about safety”

  1. It is very good to be interested in disseminating this type of information among young people and computer users in general. The benefit is not only on a narrow level, but the benefit is very great. I hope that you will continue to pay attention to publishing this information on your site, as it is really useful and a good addition.

  85. الإجابة: عليكم السلام ورحمة
    الله وبركاته يا سارة الكتب
    ذات الإصدارات الحديثة بالطبع من منافذ دار النشر أو المكتبات المعروفة وهي كثيرة بالقاهرة ولكن عشقي هو
    مغارات على بابا للكتب القديمة مثل سور الازبكية والعديد
    من.

  115. Pregnancy Epidemiological studies in pregnant women with products
    containing dicycloverine hydrochloride (at doses up to 40mg/day) have not
    shown that dicycloverine hydrochloride increases the risk of foetal abnormalities if administered during the
    first trimester of pregnancy.

  116. I think this is one of the most significant info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers

  124. May the grass grow at your door and the fox build his nest on your hearthstone. May the light fade from your eyes so you never see what you love. May your own blood rise against you and the sweetest drink you take be the bitterest cup of sorrow. May you die without benefit of clergy May there be none to shed a tear at your grave and may the hearthstone of hell be your best bed forever.

  132. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.

  165. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

  166. Can I simply say what a aid to seek out somebody who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You positively know find out how to convey a difficulty to mild and make it important. More people have to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant consider youre no more in style since you positively have the gift.

  168. Interesting article. It is very unfortunate that over the last ten years, the travel industry has already been able to to handle terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, bird flu virus, swine flu, as well as first ever true global economic downturn. Through everthing the industry has proven to be powerful, resilient along with dynamic, getting new strategies to deal with trouble. There are continually fresh difficulties and the opportunity to which the marketplace must once again adapt and respond.

  169. In these days of austerity in addition to relative anxiety about running into debt, some people balk contrary to the idea of using a credit card to make purchase of merchandise and also pay for a holiday, preferring, instead just to rely on this tried as well as trusted procedure for making settlement – raw cash. However, in case you have the cash on hand to make the purchase completely, then, paradoxically, this is the best time to be able to use the card for several reasons.

  178. Just about all of the things you point out is supprisingly accurate and that makes me ponder why I had not looked at this with this light previously. Your piece really did turn the light on for me as far as this particular topic goes. But at this time there is actually just one factor I am not necessarily too comfy with and whilst I make an effort to reconcile that with the actual main idea of your issue, let me observe exactly what all the rest of your readers have to point out.Very well done.

  180. I have come across that currently, more and more people are attracted to digital cameras and the industry of pictures. However, as a photographer, you must first commit so much time frame deciding the exact model of dslr camera to buy in addition to moving store to store just so you can buy the most affordable camera of the trademark you have decided to choose. But it does not end right now there. You also have to consider whether you can purchase a digital digital camera extended warranty. Thanks for the good recommendations I accumulated from your blog.

  182. Thanks for your submission. I would love to remark that the very first thing you will need to do is check if you really need credit repair. To do that you need to get your hands on a copy of your credit history. That should not be difficult, ever since the government makes it necessary that you are allowed to acquire one absolutely free copy of the credit report yearly. You just have to inquire the right people. You can either look into the website for your Federal Trade Commission or even contact one of the major credit agencies instantly.

  185. First off I would like to say great blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
    I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before
    writing. I’ve had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out.
    I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted
    simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any
    recommendations or hints? Appreciate it!

  215. You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I find
    this matter to be really one thing which I think I’d never understand.
    It sort of feels too complex and very large for me.
    I am taking a look ahead for your subsequent submit, I’ll try to
    get the hold of it!

  217. We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

  218. Every weekend i used to go to see this web page, as i wish for enjoyment, since this this
    site conations genuinely fastidious funny material too.

  220. It is the best time to make some plans for the future
    and it’s time to be happy. I have read this submit and if I could I
    want to suggest you few interesting things or tips.
    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I desire to learn even more things approximately it!

  225. You’re so awesome! I do not believe I’ve read a
    single thing like this before. So great to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this issue.

    Really.. many thanks for starting this up.
    This site is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with a little
    originality!

  226. I simply could not depart your web site before suggesting that I really loved the usual information a person supply to your
    guests? Is gonna be again frequently in order to investigate cross-check new posts

  227. Heya i’m for the primary time here. I found this board and I
    find It truly helpful & it helped me out much.
    I’m hoping to give something back and aid others such as you aided
    me.

  232. Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your weblog.
    You have some really good articles and I believe I would be
    a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your
    blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please blast me an email if interested. Cheers!

  234. кто я по знаку зодиака 8 декабря, стрелец знак зодиака
    11 44 значення, 11:44 на годиннику айдолы которые родились в апреле, айдолы которые родились в августе
    король воды манара чувства
    мужчины ковш большой медведицы летом, ковш большой медведицы зимой окружающий мир 1 класс

  237. к чему снится ребенок во сне мужчине привязанность к
    человеку это любовь, привязанность к человеку
    психология солнечный берег погода
    через 10 дней, болгария солнечный берег погода по месяцам
    феху руна, руна феху значение в любви если приснился умерший муж умирает во сне

  238. снится что девушка изменяет парню 23 августа славянский гороскоп таро
    гадание на картах таро расклад
    дня, карта дня на ситуацию
    виды карт таро и для чего они как присниться человеку которого ты ненавидишь

  243. почему снится часто одноклассник 6 жезлов брак, 6
    жезлов таро значение молитва
    матроне на сохранение отношений
    к чему сниться песок в пустыне к чему снится большой варан, убегать от ящерицы во сне

  244. казнау ректор, казнау вакансии
    проон расшифровка, ауыл-ел бесігі программа адилет
    ерте темір дәуірі презентация, сақтар мен ғұндар туралы мәлімет 1867-68 жылғы реформа бойынша құрылған генерал губернаторлықтар, 1867-68 жылғы әкімшілік реформа

  246. амал пысықтауыш, мөлшер пысықтауыш сұлулық туралы өлең
    жолдары, қылықты қыз өлең жолдары линза мен
    кескін арақашықтығы, жұқа линза беретін
    тура кескін мен дене арасындағы қашықтық афродита таблетки противопоказания,
    афродита таблетки беременным

  249. скачать песню кайрат нуртас – сени суйем ремикс,
    сени суйем кайрат нуртас текст 2021 скачать ya lili скачать рингтон, ya lili remix 2020
    скачать нанның бетінде пайда болатын саңырауқұлақ, саңырауқұлақтардың өсімдіктерден айырмашылығы неде науқасты операцияға дайындау презентация, науқасты наркозға дайындау

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *