 Current
Articles, Interviews and Commentary
from
Indiana Alumni Magazine, January/February,
2002
School Safety Has New Twist After Sept. 11
John Merrow's advice about school safety after
the events of Sept. 11.
He made this response, exclusive to INDIANA ALUMNI MAGAZINE.
The tragic events of Sept. 11 have changed our world in ways we
are still discovering. Issues of safety have taken on new urgency,
and it is even more important for adults in schools to create a
physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe environment for
all children.
While physical safety is likely to be society's focus, that is,
in my view, a misplaced emphasis. It is more critical to address
children's need for reassurance, information, and support. Educators
should be working to make children of all ages feel emotionally
safe at school and provide them with the opportunity to express
their feelings and concerns. As parents and adults, we can help
children cope with traumatic and frightening situations in several
specific ways.
1. Allow children and youth to express their feelings.
Many will want to talk. Others may need to express their fears through
drawing, clay, or other nonverbal mediums. Try not to make value
judgments, tell them it will go away, or let them believe that a
tragedy will never happen again. Their fears may not be realistic,
but they are real. Acknowledge their concerns, and let them know
that grief hurts. Also, assure them that adults will take care of
them.
2. At the same time, model tolerance and understanding.
America is a diverse country, and many schools enroll students who
"do not look like us." Now more than ever, adults must protect those
who are different. They must not turn a blind eye toward teasing
and harassment of any sort, but particularly any that involves a
student's faith or ethnic background. Passions run high today, but
ignorance must not be allowed to rule the classroom or the playground.
3. Listen and show children you care by providing extra attention
and physical contact.
Lots of touching and holding is comforting for children, particularly
for the very young. If children experience much distress over this
situation, now or later, seek support from appropriate counseling
services.
4. Answer questions with simple, accurate information, and do
not go into morbid detail.
Teachers may need to answer the same questions over and over as
children seek reassurance. It is OK to say, "I don't know" and "I
wonder about that, too." There are no magic "right" words, but there
also should be no questions that are out of bounds.
The most difficult – and most important – question to
discuss may be "Why?" That question requires schools, now more than
ever, to be mindful of intellectual safety. In the weeks after the
attack, one protester in Pakistan held up a sign reading, "America,
do you dare to ask why the world hates you so much?" Educators,
particularly those teaching the upper grades, must have the courage
to accept the challenge of this question. It is glib and shallow
to respond with catch phrases like, "Because they're jealous of
us."
Perhaps the question should be rephrased: Why is the United States
simultaneously admired and reviled with such passion?
Lyndon Johnson is said to have explained away the ferocity of the
enemy during the Vietnam War by asserting, "They want what we have,"
as if dreams of color television sets and two-car garages motivated
the armies of Ho Chi Minh.
Today, while there's no question that the actions of Sept. 11 were
monstrously evil, we must not be afraid to probe the background
of Osama bin Laden and those who hate us. Classrooms must be safe
places for questioning and for ambiguity.
The vast majority of our schools continue to be physically safe.
Although it is highly unlikely that schools will be primary targets
of terrorist attacks, every school should have a contingency plan
in the event that another surprise attack brings its normal routines
to a temporary halt.
One school I'm familiar with has stocked food, water, blankets,
and first-aid equipment in sufficient quantity to keep students
on campus for three days. Its routine includes two major disaster
drills. One empties the school to a certain place for a head count;
the other requires everyone to remain indoors, with doors locked
and shades down.
Is this overreacting? Unfortunately no, because we are at war with
a new enemy. But precautions alone would make matters worse. The
first essential steps are for adults to create a word that is emotionally
and intellectually safe, to be supportive and forthcoming in discussions
with students, both now and in the future. It's a tall order. I
am hopeful that our schools are up to the task.
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