Dear Editor,

The effect of school violence on students is significant.

Students exposed to violence at school suffer both physically and mentally. The physical effects of school violence in the worst-case scenario of school shootings could involve death.

School shootings and school violence incite fear in the hearts of many parents who send their children off to school each day expecting them to return safely hours later.

School shootings are just one type of school violence; however, every day students face different types of school violence, including being threatened, intimidated, being physically and/or verbally assaulted, bullying, and/or cyberbullying.

In addition to the physical effects of school violence, there is often a psychological impact that’s not as easily seen. School violence that is not physical in nature but may involve bullying or cyberbullying can leave deep emotional scars. People who are bullied often develop anxiety-related illnesses, depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress, and sometimes turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain. Some may even have thoughts of death or suicide.

There has been a serious case of a female student from the Kingston Technical High School stabbing to death another female student who also attends that school. A video of the incident showed a female walking up to another female standing with her hands at her side. The female who was standing held a knife at her side. She then wrapped her arm around the other female’s neck and vigorously began to stab her. Further into the video, it was seen that the student with the knife also stabbed the other student in her side and was then parted by a male who seemed to be a soldier.

The female student who got stabbed was placed on her side on the ground in what appeared to be a pool of her own blood. Another female student stood over her, appearing to check for a pulse in her neck while the crowd gathered around them. The female student who attacked her was later escorted from the scene by her friend.

Incidents like these cause students to fear attending school. It might also trigger parents’ fear of sending their child/children to school because they may believe the school environment is no longer safe.

Serious actions need to be taken to deter students from carrying weapons to school. Students should at least be searched for any sign of weapons or sharp objects that can be of harm to others.

Eve Morrison

student

José Marti Technical High School

evemorrison109@yahoo.com