After many years in a variety of educational positions, for the last five years, my retirement job has been in an elementary school as an instructional assistant in a pre-k through second grade school in Downers Grove. For them, this is their last week before summer break, so they are excited and the week has been filled with extra activities to celebrate moving on to the next grade. As I lovingly watch them learn and grow, I can’t help but think about the week in Uvalde, Texas which we will never forget. The horrific mass shooting occurred when an 18-year old with an assault weapon murdered 19 children and two teachers in their elementary school classroom while injuring more than a dozen others. It fills me with an overwhelming sadness, grief for those lost in Texas, and fear.
What???? Another school shooting??? Not again, and it can happen anywhere, including the suburb of Downers Grove though administration throughout the suburbs are taking the right action. A school resource office should be in every school building. All outside doors are locked and some schools require scanners as people walk through the doors. All visitors must present a government issued photo ID. Safety drills are conducted at each of our schools throughout the year, and staff receive training on how to respond in crisis situations. Whatever it takes to keep children safe.
There is one argument after another about gun laws. My concern is have the recourses to handle mental health issues and drug addiction. According to Impact Dupage, behavioral health continues to be a chief concern in DuPage County. Addressing behavioral health requires attention to substance use disorders as well as mental health. According to sources, the opioid epidemic in Illinois continues to manifest in multiple ways that include historically high rates of overdoses and overdose-related fatalities. Children and families need more resources for counseling they can afford and even more social workers at schools that can get a handle on the issues going on with a child.
There is always something positive that develops from tragedy. Maybe one mother will become sober for life and maybe one father will suggest counseling for his family. Maybe one grandmother will spend more time with their grandchildren, maybe one couple will recognize the love of their life. Maybe one teacher will give their children more hugs, maybe one parent will hug their child a little tighter. Maybe one person will finally honor another without complaint, maybe one company will offer a product at no cost for those that struggle. Maybe we will demonstrate more respect for our teachers, administration and staff at school. Maybe one more person will believe in God because there are truly more angels in heaven than ever before.
As we pray for the grief of the families and friends related to the following:
- Eva Mireles, 44
- Irma Garcia, 48
- Xavier Lopez, 10
- Uziyah Garcia, 9
- Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, 10
- Jose Flores, 10
- Tess Mata, 10
- Amerie Jo Garza, 10
- Jayce Luevanos, 10
- Jailah Nicole Silguero, 10
- Miranda Mathis, 11
- Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10
- Jackie Cazares, 10
- Ellie Garcia, 10
- Alithia Ramirez, 10
- Rojelio Torres, 10
- Makenna Lee Elrod, 10
- Nevaeh Bravo, 10
- Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, 10
- Eliahana ‘Elijah’ Cruz Torres, 10
- Layla Salazar, 10
God bless you all!