Bowie is one of the most prestigious and fastest growing areas in Prince George's county, MD. It is known for its half of a million dollar homes and ever growing population of upper middle class citizens. It would seem only fitting that the educational establishments would follow suit. I am a proud product of 2 schools in Bowie, only venturing out for the Science and Technology program at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.
Bowie High school is one of the better high schools in Prince George's county, even housing the Principal of the year for Maryland. As a member of the staff and witnessing the inter-workings of Bowie High, I have come to the conclusion that it is only great because so many others are below par. Parents this year alone have complained of seniors having half day schedules simply because there weren't enough teachers or classes to provide them with a full day schedule. In a time where America is falling further and further behind other countries in education, this is unacceptable.
Now besides quality education, a parent's top priority is the safety of his or her child. When this is compromised, someone somewhere has failed. I am at the Annex building of Bowie High, where it is only freshman students. For the largest class of freshman ever at Bowie High school, with its own building, there is a grand total of 3 security guards. Now since this is Bowie, and most children come from good backgrounds, the lack of security is usually non consequential. I have broken up 2 fights this year (mind you I am all of 5'3 where most freshman boys are now towering over me at 5'10-6'0) without the aid of security; one time security showed up, strolling down the hallway, once the fight had been resolved for almost 2 minutes. Now fights are dangerous but managable. But what happens when something, let's say more life threatening happens?
That is exactly what occured, May 19, 2011 at approximately 2:15pm. Bowie is an early school and the Annex dismisses 10 minutes earlier than the Main building. So at 2:15pm, right after the final bell had rung for dismissal, I am packing up my things to go home, when I hear what sounds like a stampede in the hallway. I look up, puzzled to what could be going on, and a student runs to my door and shouts "He has a gun!". Immediately I spring in to action, still having 3 students in my classroom that walk home, and tell the student to close my door. She closes the door, but reopens it to allow one of her friends in. At this point I am screaming for her to close the door. Eventually, she looks out the door window, against my suggestion to get away from the door, and says that the hallway is clear. We later found out that the student had a knife, not a gun. The student had been in the building the whole day with the knife on him. None the less, in that time, the teacher across the hall had been calling security for about 5 minutes. No one ever showed up. No security was in the hallway. We were left to our own defenses against a hysterical student with a weapon. Eventually, students told the lead security guard who the student was and the student who was attacked. By this time, both boys had exited the building. One had even made it onto his bus to go home.
When events like this occur, parents, staff and students should be notified. This also did not occur. No letters were sent home, no emails to staff, yet we've had meetings for lesser reasons.
Events like this are truly scary because in a time where this rising generation cares less and less about human life and respect for authority, we are increasingly becoming out numbered. School is supposed to be a safe place, but when those who are getting paid the big bucks negate to protect their pawns in this twisted game of chess, everyone loses.
