Safe Schools Save Lives

Schools are institutions where students get enriched in knowledge and are able to grow and develop into young adults. It is important to create a safe and friendly environment in school so that students feel secure and parents feel relieved when they let their kids go to school. When is a school is attacked with physical violence, gun violence, and conflict it creates a wall of uncertainty between parents, children and the school administration.  Four years ago, on December 14th, 2012,  20 school students between the ages of 6-7 and 6 school staff  from Sandy Hook Elementary School were fatally shot and killed by 20-year-old David Lanza. This deadly shooting shook the nation of the United States and impacted the families in the neighbourhood. This shooting was truly a wake up call for students and families alike, on the safety and security in schools.

It is only when people come together with specific goals and achievements that they are able to make strides to a progressive future. I think one way that schools and communities can avoid act of violence is by implementing a system that encourages safety and prioritizes security. Teachers should teach students about what to do in lockdowns, what a hold and secure is and how to respond when the situation occurs. Students should also get into the habit of being present, by looking around and being cautious of their surroundings. When elementary students go out for recess, there should be a teacher watching over them and to inform them if there is a gunmen in the area so that students will be able to evacuate the area. Secondary students should be encouraged to carry a cellphone so that they can inform their parents of their whereabouts if they are staying after school/coming home late.

Bullying is one of the large factors that lead to extreme events such as physical fights or even gun violence.  Bullying happens everyday, everywhere and in schools. It is a good thing that many services are available to students if they don't know what to do when they are the victim of bullying. Services that have helped out students dealing with bullies are Kid's Help Phone, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), support groups such as Stop Bullying, YMCA and speaking with a doctor about emotional/physical concerns. Mary Ward students can use this sources as well as talk to people they trust such as TA's, guidance counsellors, coaches, parents. It is much better to speak up than to stay quiet because YOUR voices can be the link to improving your situations and putting a brake on violence and bullying.

The Internet: Truths or Lies?

The internet is one of the largest sources of information in this day and age.That being said, the internet can be a place full of truths and lies and most of the time we are tempted to believe that everything shown on the internet is true. Millions and millions of bytes of information that is made available on a computer screen, phone screen, tablet screen, etc, can have an impact on one's mind on what to believe and can often lead to a life of confusion.  Personally, I believe that not everything on the internet is true and that some of the stories, news and headlines can either be made up or over exaggerated. Most of the information published on the internet such as YouTube videos can sometimes have misleading titles and clickbaits to attract hundreds of thousands of people to watch the video and be gullible to the information being said. This type of "marketing" is a benefit for the Youtuber as he/she make money from the views  and the hundreds of thousands of people who are watching are now questioning if what they saw was true or if it was just a waste of time.

There is so much information we can view just by going on the internet and memes are one of them. Memes are an idea or believe in the form of an image or gif that is intended for humorous purposes. Memes are especially popular to the younger generation of kids and teenagers. I believe there is nothing wrong creating or sharing a meme, if it is intended for humorous purposes. But if a person takes a meme seriously or personally; if the meme were to be directed to the person's race, culture or religion; that is when trouble arises. The phrases and visuals in a meme are intended as a joke and to create a little humor in one's day  but if intended  for the wrong purposes, if can impact how the person feels about him/herself and possibly change the person's view on life.

The internet is a place where people from all around the world can share information and connect with others. It is important that when reading an article/ or a piece of information that we stop and think logically; "should I take into account of what I am viewing on the Internet, should I be able to make decisions for myself of how much of an impact it can have on me?".  Trust me, I have been a victim of simply believing things on the internet are true. I hope that I, along with you reading this, stop and think about what you see on the internet and take responsibility of what you post because it can have an impact on those who view it.