School safety issues affect public, Catholic schools alike

Published: 2006-10-13

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Recent deadly school shootings, in particular what occurred in the one-room Amish schoolhouse in Pennsylvania, shattered an illusion that some schools are immune from violent attacks. The incidents, two of them involving intruders, sparked an Oct. 10 summit convened by the White House. The Conference on School Safety took place in Chevy Chase, Md., after the latest school shooting victims had been buried but while the issue was still top news with the Oct. 9 arrest of a 13-year-old student for firing an assault weapon in a Missouri middle school. Summit participants, who included educators, police officers, White House officials and students, discussed ways to combat school violence, but they were leery about offering any sweeping solutions. Speakers emphasized the need to have crisis plans in place and to practice them, to take bullying and threats seriously and to have open communications with school parents.

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