June 22, 2018, KRQE TV, Albuquerque: Santa Fe Public Schools to add more safety measures http://www.krqe.com/news/education/santa-fe-public-schools-adding-more-safety-measures/1253726245 As state lawmakers discuss how to make New Mexico schools safer, one local district is taking matters into its own hands. It is focusing on prevention of school shootings and the mental health issues that precede them. In an attempt to keep these horrific tragedies from even happening, Santa Fe Public Schools officials believe hiring social workers, among other changes, could be a great start. "If a student appears depressed, is angry, is acting out and could potentially be a threat, we want to provide that support to the child and the family," said Dr. Veronica Garcia, Superintendent. Dr. Garcia says $300,000 is being set aside to help troubled students. "We're looking at five master social workers who could provide a rapid response," said Dr. Garcia…. Starting this fall, every grade level will watch an instructional safety video starring students…. The video will go over safety procedures for lockdowns, shelter in place, and fire drills…. Salbidrez is also recommending that practice drills be held more often throughout the year, ideally, three times. … That is why the idea to beef up school security with resource officers will have to go through the Santa Fe Police Department. …
top of page
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Anne Dachel, Media editor, Age of Autism
http://www.ageofautism.com/media/
(John Dachel, Tech. assist.)
What will happen in another 4 years? How can we go on like this? This is a national (and international) problem of monumental proportions. We have an entire new class of children who cannot be accommodated by the system: many are manifestly neurologically impaired. Meanwhile, the government and the medical profession sleep on regardless.
John Stone,
UK media editor, Age of Autism
The generation of American children born after 1990 are arguably the sickest generation in the history of our country.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
It seemed to me that with rising autism prevalence, you’d also see rising autism costs to society, and it turns out, the costs are catastrophic.
They calculated that in 2015 autism cost the United States $268 billion and they projected that if autism continues at its current rate, we’re looking at one trillion dollars a year in autism costs by 2025, so within five years.
Toby Rogers, PhD, Political economist
bottom of page