JACKSON SCHOOL UPDATE

When we live and raise our families in the rural communities of the Midwest, we tend to shake our heads at the terrible discipline problems we hear about in urban school districts. Statistics would verify that behavior problems are more significant in large metropolitan school districts, both in terms of the frequency and the severity of its expression.

We are so very proud of the complimentary letters we have received this year from out-of-town visitors, sports officials and even from restaurant and motel staff when our students are out of town for a school activity. The Jackson R-2 School District has a tradition of being one of the best in student behavior.

Our pride makes it tempting to glass over examples of disrespect for authority, violent acts against students or teachers and occasions when students are dishonest. However, it is my personal belief that one child afraid to go to school -- or to the mall, or to the park -- is one too many. It is important to note that when this happens, it isn't just a school problem, it is a community problem.

There is much discussion in the state legislature about creating safer schools by writing new laws. Most school administrators would share the belief that stiffer penalties for violent acts and the open sharing of student information between agencies and schools would be positive moves. However, as in most societal problem areas, this legislative remedy will not have much effect unless we change some of our patterns of behavior. As adults, our expressed expectations and our actions as role models can speak clearly to the next generation.

There are many statistics that express the severity of the national juvenile violence problem. A recent report stated that every day in America: 2,600 children are born into poverty; 7,962 are reported abused or neglected; three die from abuse; 15 are killed by firearms; and 2,833 drop out of school. Another report says nearly 3 million crimes occur in or near schools every year.

Obviously, we are not faced with this degree of problem in Southeast Missouri. However, because of the behavioral standards promoted in the entertainment media, including movies, music and print, I have concern that we might be lulled into a false sense of security and become gradually calloused to examples of destructive behavior.

Three incidents recently heightened my concern about this topic. Two of the three happened away from school, and I feel the one that happened at school was dealt with in a strong and effective way by the principal. All three had a common theme: Several of my group will catch you alone and intimidate or even hurt you because of how you dress or who your friends are.

To say that most of our youth are usually better behaved than this should never be good enough for us.

As bad as the world gets at times, our schools must be a place where our children can feel safe and can concentrate on learning, not protecting themselves from bullies. My vision is that our schools someday will be free of the bully types and be truly a haven for learning.

That brings me to some suggestions for adults:

1. We need to talk to our children and grandchildren about the importance of respecting other people's feelings and property.

2. Explain that rules and laws are there for our benefit. They provide a standard that will allow us to live in peace and harmony.

3. Support those in authority -- law enforcement officers, teachers and principals -- and speak about them with respect.

4. If you have a concern about a decision or policy, confer with the decision-maker rather than tell your child how bad the decision was.

5. Share that, as American citizens, every right carries with it responsibilities. A true sign of maturity is to admit a mistake, apologize for it and vow to try harder. We need to hold our children responsible for their actions.

6. Avoid telling a child to "never start a fight, but if they start it, you finish it." Children often take this as a license to bait another child until he lashes out first. Blessed are the peacemakers.

7. If your child is well accepted in school, encourage him or her to reach out and be friendly to new students and those who seem to be without friends. If those who have their acts together won't include a new student, we all know who will.

8. Although it seems profanity is everywhere in the popular media, adults should be very careful about the casual use of such language. It isn't received as a proper response at school. All of us could work on this.

9. In spite of negative behavior by other students, support our traditional expectation that our students will be ladies and gentlemen to all, young and old.

This may sound a little preachy, but I believe America is in a battle for its children. As responsible adults, we must turn back the forces intent on destroying our most precious resource and our future -- our children. They may be referred to as the "X" generation by the media, and many may not even make it to birth, but I believe these young people are worth the effort. In each individual resides the potential to become a vital contributing part of our community. Please join me in sharing expectations with our youth, and if you are so inclined, lift them up in prayer daily.