I like the idea of smaller schools for a lot of reasons! I agree that the mass numbers we cram into a building make it less of a haven for knowledge and necessitates an institutional feel that breeds disassociation, distance, a regimented structure that can't really feed anyone there to gain an education...
It seems essential to me as well to teach children everything we can about safety, at home, school, to one's person, etc. I don't think it's denial to still not want guns to play the role they currently enjoy in our culture.
Regarding guns in schools and violence...
It is just chilling to me to consider that guns are something I should tell my son to anticipate encountering. I will immigrate before I plan to expect the possibility of one of us, or someone that I know getting caught in the crossfire. I have lost two friends to murder, been a victim of a lesser crime myself and honestly believe that I am past my quota for encountering violence. If I have anything to do with changing my little world, I WILL... Even if I have to leave my native stomping ground.
Even though I've seen and experienced what I have (personally and on the news), I find that I'm still in disbelief (naively, I imagine) that guns are as prevalent as they are.
We are capable citizens and we do not have to live this way with an acceptance of violence. Citizens CAN demand change. POLITICS is the highway that drives the forces in our society. Money seems to be driving the political machine. Citizens need to get angry enough to demand it to change. There is a wonderful web-site which I will ask Dr. Turner if I can add to the Democracy link. Ben Cohen, of Ben and Jerry's ice cream has created an independent (of his corporate anything) grassroots organization called, "The True Majority". Anyone who is curious and has time, PLEASE check it out. If you get to his site, check out the "movie George Bush doesn't want you to see." He simplifies the national budget and shows how our government currently spends money and what a slight shift would mean to change life as we know it, globally. Teachers' lives could be DRAMATICALLY better by a fraction of a cookie (--- if you see it, you'll know what I mean).
There is another site - and if it's all right to post it, I will get the address - it's called AOL presidential match.com - or something like it. It's a really enlightening site that offers a 5 minute survey. When you take the survey your answers are compared to current Presidential candidates. I was very surprised to discover that the one guy I've been backing was actually the fourth closest match for my preferences.
I do not want to think about life within a wall - to protect myself, my class and my son from gunfire. Nor do I want to consider what must be a daily reality in many parts of this country that says violence is just par for the course. My naivetee may be laughable - but my hope for this next election is so huge. We have to get a new Administration into the White House. Guns are NOT going to be, for me, just another consideration when I face my day at work. I like this posting alot because it is very thought provoking.