Earlier today I found out about the school shooting in Silver Rail Elementary in Oregon, and I have not been able to shake it. Hearing that an 11 year old, an 8 year old, a five year old, and a 54 year old teacher were shot, and that two students have passed away, is heartbreaking beyond words. One student and the teacher are still in critical condition in the hospital. These are children who should have been safe at school, and families who should never have gotten that phone call.

I keep thinking about what I said before: those kids had a whole life ahead of them. This is not just one school’s tragedy. There have been way too many school shootings inside of the United States of America, and every time it happens we watch people argue while more lives are lost. No parent should have to wonder whether dropping their child off at school means risking everything. No teacher should have to walk into a classroom without the protection they deserve.

That is why I am calling for stronger security at schools across the United States. We need real safety standards that every school has to meet, including trained security, controlled entry, emergency response planning, and consistent protection for students and staff. If we can agree on anything, it should be that children deserve to learn in safety and teachers deserve to work in safety. We cannot keep waiting until the next family is destroyed before we act.

I am asking you to stand with the families, the students, the teachers, and every community living with this fear. Please sign this petition and demand stronger school security now. If we do nothing, this will continue. If we speak up together, we can push the people in power to finally protect our children.

Every parent is filled with hope and a little anxiety. Like every parent, I pictured a place filled not only with the promise of knowledge but also with the safety that should be every child’s right. That’s why it is so crucial for us to address a growing concern of ours—school safety.

Sadly, recent events have made it clear that our schools are not as safe as they should be. Reports have highlighted an alarming increase in incidents of bullying, violence, and even tragedies involving firearms within school premises across the country. According to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2021 alone, over 20% of public schools reported at least one incident of violence per day. This shows that we urgently need to take action to prioritize the safety of our children in schools.

To make schools safer, we propose implementing the following changes:

1. **Enhanced Security Measures**: Schools should be equipped with security cameras, metal detectors at entry points, and increased patrol by security personnel. These measures can act as deterrents and help in immediate response to potential threats.

2. **Comprehensive Counseling Programs**: It is essential to introduce and expand counseling programs that address students' mental health, provide emotional support, and offer conflict resolution skills.

3. **Community Engagement**: Encourage active participation from parents, teachers, and students in safety planning and create a school safety council to oversee ongoing safety measures.

4. **Legislative Support**: Advocate for stronger gun control legislation and community awareness initiatives to ensure a safer environment both in and out of school.

Creating safer schools is not an impossible dream but a necessary goal. By implementing these measures, we can build a future where schools are sanctuaries of learning and safety.

Join me in urging school boards, local governments, and national leaders to prioritize this essential matter. Sign this petition to make schools safer for everyone.