Problems in the schools require community solutions
Since they were four years old, my children have attended the Lowell Public Schools—my oldest is now at the Freshman Academy at LHS and my youngest is in middle school. Thursday, I attended events at the Bartlett, a K-8 school; the Stoklosa Middle School; and the Daley Middle School. On Monday, I attended Special Olympics at the Lincoln Elementary School and read to first graders at the Greenhalge Elementary School. At every school I visited this week and all the schools not mentioned that I have visited over the years, I have been impressed by the talented, creative, respectful children I have seen performing in programs, listening attentively, and participating in classroom activities. The vast majority of our students are good kids, and every day, wonderful learning takes place all over our city. I know it. I have seen it firsthand, and I have lived it through my own children.
And yet, I have also been to expulsion hearings. I have received emails about students bringing weapons to school, and I have listened to stories about bullying. Clearly, there is a small percentage of our student population with problems, some of them serious and requiring intense intervention. Bullying and youth violence are complex issues that impact all aspects of society—we are not the only school district to experience them, nor is the behavior unique to these times. Perhaps, as some suggest, youth behavior has gotten worse and respect for authority has waned. Blame it on latchkey kids, parents abdicating responsibility, videogame violence—you name the culprit because there are many factors that circle this issue. Often the problems start at home; sometimes, such as with gang involvement, issues of poverty, hopelessness and alienation also play a role.
Just as the problems are complex, the cure and responsibility do not lie with one group. In Lowell, we are known for partnerships and for facing our problems. The school committee is addressing safety concerns by reviewing policies to make sure staff and students are supported, and effective discipline is used consistently to hold youngsters accountable and teach appropriate behavior. The city manager’s anti-gang task force meets monthly to develop strategies to engage our youth in positive ways, such as summer jobs initiatives, recreational programs, after-school tutoring, and collaboration between providers and enforcement agencies. But we can’t do it alone; we need help from parents, neighbors, businesses, and leaders in the community—working together to support our youth.
Lowell schools are safe. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t send my children there, but the problems we’re facing are cause for real concern, and positive action from the entire community is the only way we’ll solve them.