It is heartbreaking to witness the horror of the mass shooting at the school in Uvalde, Texas.
It is equally devastating that these types of tragedies now occur so frequently that it is almost impossible to remember them all.
While we must do everything we can to make children safer at school, Safe schools are not created by installing metal detectors or other security technology, but by building crucial relationships.
An important tool for building such relationships is social-emotional learning.
School bullies often deal with mental health issues and are often exposed to stressors that directly precede their attacks.
Many live in abusive homes or have suffered great losses.
While some students may clearly need psychiatric help, other students with problems may not be as easy to identify.
That’s where social-emotional learning can help.
Children can learn and use these skills to regulate their emotions, better understand and communicate with others, and make good decisions.
These skills can improve students’ mental health and reduce behavioral problems, including violence.
As reported in the Post and Courier on July 18, in most cases of school violence, at least one person finds out about an attack before it happens.
To encourage students to speak up, each student must have a connection with an adult on campus. Social emotional learning can foster these connections.
We will never know how many tragedies are prevented when students warn adults about them. Unfortunately, we know how many happen when they don’t.
Too many to remember.
TO THE EAST
Founder, Social Emotional Learning Alliance for South Carolina
Charleston
remember to tip
While it would seem encouraging that South Carolina’s unemployment numbers are improving, I find it confusing that officials in this country count “those who are unemployed but looking for work” as part of the labor force, as reported in the article in the Saturday Post and Courier, “The workforce remains below the national average.”
People looking for work are not the same as people who work. It’s easy to see that many local businesses are struggling with a lack of employees.
Some businesses have reduced business hours, in others there may be a long wait and some businesses have closed citing lack of help.
Businesses and employees are also struggling with the effects of inflation.
Please tip your servers, especially those at fast food restaurants.
Not only are they working under pressure with reduced staff, but they need extra money to survive.
SUSANNE L. LEMKE
mount nice
Trump lacks virtue
I write regarding the July 22 letter to the editor, “Great hypocrisy.”
There is a lot of criticism for Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
An important difference between the two men is virtue, or lack thereof.
President George Washington once said: “Human rights can only be guaranteed among a virtuous people. The general government…can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, or any despotic or oppressive form as long as there is any virtue in the body of the people.”
Benjamin Franklin gave a harsh warning about the lack of virtue when he said: “Only a virtuous people is capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”
If virtue in the people is important, then it must be possessed by their leaders if there is any hope that it will be in the body of the people.
The January 6 Committee gave us all a good look at what happens when virtue is lacking in a leader, and I, for one, am grateful.
DOUGLAS DEVLAMING
Charleston
bankrupt russia
When I was in elementary school, we practiced getting under our desks to avoid the explosion of a possible Russian nuclear weapon.
I will be 78 next month and the world is still bullied by the Russians.
At first, we intended to fight against communism. But we have been at war with the same old autocratic imperialism that has filled the history books of the world.
It’s time for this to end. And the best way to bankrupt Russia is the same way the Soviet Union disappeared.
That means the war in ukraine it would have to go on for some time.
Even if Russia takes over Ukraine, it will face what the United States faced in Afghanistan, multiplied by 10. There is no possible victory for Russia.
The nation is caught in a trap it created unless we let it out.
We must continue to support Ukraine and urge it not to settle for Russia.
It’s a small price to pay to get rid of Vladimir Putin and his evil KGB and Federal Security Service. We need to persevere.
WILLIAM A. JOHNSON
mount nice
Gilbreth got lost
I miss Dr. Edward M GilbrethThe weekly column of “Line by Line”.
His columns were most enjoyable. I wish him well.
FRED W. KINARD JR.
Charleston