Community event to address school safety
When young people speak, Mary Jo Podgurski listens. She wants them to know other adults are listening, as well.
In response to the recent Florida school shooting in which 17 were killed, the Let’s Talk Community event, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, will focus on school safety.
“Fear has always been there. It’s how we handle it that makes our kids less afraid,” said Podgurski, director of Washington Health System’s Teen Outreach program and Observer-Reporter columnist. “We are going to create a space so they know other community adults are there to support them.”
The event will be led by Podgurski’s peer educators and will feature 14 panelists, including retired educators from local school districts, counselors and pastors.
“The biggest thing this will do is allow some processing,” she said. “Most of the time, we, as adults, don’t like to talk about hard things with our kids.”
This is the fourth Let’s Talk event. Prior talks focused on race, gender and disability.
“We’ve done them always in response to things that have happened. After Trayvon Martin was shot, we talked about race,” said Podgurski. “They were all quite good. This one, by far, has received the most response. Young people are what guide me. We began talking about this right after it happened. They are frightened and confused.”
The discussion will not focus on the panel, but rather the questions and concerns of participants.
Podgurski and her trained peer educators will start the discussion with guidelines for communication.
“Civil discourse is our goal, so no negativity,” she said. “No disrespect.”
Peer educators and panelists will then break into smaller groups with the participants, and create questions for the panel. They’ll also propose three positive steps to enhance school safety.
“I’m hoping one is to decrease rumors,” said Podgurski. “Sometimes, parents add to it because they are frightened.”
In the wake of the shooting, several area school districts increased security in response to rumors of threats on social media.
The panel will address questions toward the end of the event, which will be held in Washington & Jefferson College’s Media Room on Lincoln Street.
“When young people are confused or troubled, I feel pulling together and letting them see adults with integrity interested is important,” Podgurski said. “I think if nothing else, they will come away feeling heard.”
Sponsored by the W&J College Education Department and Washington Health System Teen Outreach, the event is open to the public. Reservations are required by emailing podmj@healthyteens.com.