ALEXANDRIA, Va., (May 25, 2018)—National PTA President Jim Accomando issued the following statement on the shooting at Noblesville West Middle School in Noblesville, Ind.:
“We can no longer be patient. More must be done immediately to keep our children safe at school.
“The Federal Commission on School Safety must take action now and bring stakeholders together to share knowledge, perspective, insight and best practices in school safety and climate, student mental health, instructional leadership, teaching and learning so that meaningful changes can be made to improve school safety in this time of crisis. Parents and all stakeholders want to be engaged in this effort to stop these acts of violence, protect their children and ensure they are safe at school.
“National PTA also urges Congress to adopt legislation that would strengthen background checks, fund gun violence research efforts, ban assault weapons and prevent persons who may endanger public safety from accessing guns. Additionally, the association urges policymakers to prioritize mental health education, early intervention, prevention and access to school and community-based mental health personnel and services.
“It remains a top priority of PTA to promote safety for children and youth and improve education. PTA has a strong history of supporting and advocating for policies in the areas of gun safety and violence prevention, juvenile justice, mental health and students’ overall well-being.
“PTA is also committed to supporting students, families, schools and communities in coping with and preventing violence. The association offers a variety of resources that can be downloaded at PTA.org/SchoolSafety.”
About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.