After Columbine we have a chance to break the wall of silence that too often surrounds our school kids and keeps us from knowing what is happening in their lives. Parental responsibility is key. Parents must know their children and know what their children are doing. Parents must also become more integral partners with schools. And parents must be held more accountable and liable for actions of their children which create injury or harm to other people or property.
Violence now permeates our culture.
Children are exposed to so much violence in the media they are either numb to violence or embrace it. All segments of our media that purvey violence and irresponsibility play a role and must be accountable and responsive, not through government censorship, but through self-regulation and economic pressure by consumers. The debate over making our schools safe is not a new one. Additional partnerships between schools and our law enforcement community are essential. Resource officers and community policing are examples.