89 39 18

89: The number of days so far this year.

39: The number of incidents of school gunfire to date.

18: The number of deaths as a result of school gunfire to date.

Imagine every two to three days another harrowing event. Another lockdown. Screams of fear. Tears of frightened youth and anguished adults. Imagine that with each harrowing event, in at least half of them, someone perishes. Is today the day you don't survive?

The violence is coming from within and from outside of our school walls. It is not isolated. It is not just in the "certain" neighborhoods. It is not just adults. It is not just kids. It is not just one race or another. It is non-discriminatory.

School used to be viewed as a sanctuary or a safe space. It is not anymore. Our students practice active shooter drills as often as they practice severe weather drills.

School is not what it used to be. We wonder why we have a teacher shortage, why administrators last only three years, why achievement is tanking.

We must do better. Parents must do better. Teachers must do better. Principals must do better. School boards must do better. Mentors must do better. Media must do better. Coaches must do better. Friends must do better. Families must do better. Churches must do better. Health professionals must do better. We must be in this together. We must connect with students and with adults. We must be concerned with people as individuals. We must be diligent in positive relationships. We must ask for help. We must offer help. We must listen. We must change.

We must care.