At the recent Federal Way Public Schools Board meeting community members raised concerns about a training video under review as part of collaborative community preparation for “active shooter” response at our schools. There are valid concerns across the potential spectrum of responses and so an “opt out” process was always implied.

“Opt out” is similar to the ability for families to determine whether their child is ready for, or even want schools to provide, sex education. While some may think it is like a “Boogey Man” at school, the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School is fresh in our minds so the threat is all too real for others. It is easy to imagine families being concerned that any response to an active shooter might draw fire upon their child and so would rather their child not even consider any option but to hide. There is no doubt that it should be a topic for a thoughtful family discussion.

One area that families should take an “opt in” approach is in combatting bullying in our schools. Bullying is a form of violence (physical and/or psychological) and violence begets violence. Bullying is about as close to a “root cause” for active shooter scenarios as one can get. Having our children report bullying just might prevent a future report that a bullied child or former student is on school grounds with a weapon. “Snitches get stitches?” “Don’t be a tattle tale?” Let’s “opt in” to changing the culture of unreported bullying and not only save children from future violence, but also the tragedy of child suicides.

Hiroshi Eto

Federal Way