Parents: Expect to receive info on teen suicide, violence in mail
Canton RepositoryMar 02, 2018
The multi-page packet of information coming soon to your home mailbox could very well help save a young life. Ideally, you'll read it, digest it and turn it into good old-fashioned refrigerator door reference material, say those who put it together.
Beginning in the next few days, parents in all 22 public school districts represented by the
"We're viewing this as a community issue ..." said ESC Superintendent
The initiative is just part of a response to a school year that's thus far been mired by a rash of teen suicides and a planned shooting at
The packet includes:
--A letter to parents, which outlines recent collaborative efforts of school, law enforcement and mental health officials "to do everything ... possible to protect your children."
--An initial report on school building safety recommendations, prepared by the newly-formed
--Tips from the
--Advice to help recognize suicidal warning signs, as well as a directory of local agencies to assist in mental health care, from
The sheriff said the
At this point, Maier said, metal detecting wands, rather than full-fledged detecting machines may be a viable short-term choice.
"We want reasonable recommendations," Maier said. "We're not trying to fortify our schools to be Fort Knox."
One suggestion that received unanimous approval from
Task force members also agreed there's an urgent need for more mental outreach for students and families.
"We feel there is a huge void," Maier said.
Chaddock said there's an amazing spike in social media activity among students
"The social media world ... they're growing up in it," he said.
The Task Force report notes that no single segment of society can solve the teen death crisis. It states that solutions will require a combination of efforts from parents, students, schools, law enforcement, mental health, the private sector and state and federal legislators.
The report concludes with this:
"We should be aggressive and relentless in demanding these solutions. Our children deserve no less."
Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or
On Twitter: @tbotosREP
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