The events that occurred today in Connecticut have hit me particularly hard as a father of a 5 year old kindergarten student, an elementary school principal, and an education advocate. My thoughts are with the children, the parents, the community, and the school. On my way home from school this evening, I had to pull over and cry as I heard the stories and news from the day as I was largely oblivious from the news as I worked to stay vigilant for my own campus. This could have been my school, my son, my colleagues, my teachers, my students, my community, and it could have been me.
I am fortunate and I am proud to lead an elementary campus. I know our schools are safe and we practice and word to prepare for the impossible scenarios like this school tragedy in Connecticut. Every story that I have heard reminds me of those drills and procedures that we practice but pray we never have to use. The teacher in that schools are heroes for saving the children in closets, under desks, and in hallways. It is clear they have practiced and were aware of the procedures for keeping children safe. I honor those teachers.
What this tragedy should teach all of us is that school is about children. As we argue over vouchers, funding, testing, and other “school related” issue, we ADULTS need to remember that school is about CHILDREN. It is time that we stop bickering and arguing about what schools need and don’t need, how they should funded or not funded, tested and not tested and remember that we build schools, hire teachers, and pass laws to protect and teach our CHILDREN.
Education is about children….very simple.
Thank you! You are so right!