Huge Uprise of Violence in Schools and Nearby Communities: When Will it End?
Mid Stairs at Golden Valley showing the cafeteria
In our recent society as a whole, there has been an increase in gun violence across America, especially in schools. While not all gun violence ends in deaths or injuries, the point is that violence has been coming and going in waves, especially in schools.
According to Everytown Research, “In 2023 there were at least 42 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 17 deaths and 32 injuries nationally.” This same source reports 66 accounts of gun violence in schools from 2013 to 2023.
When it comes to Golden Valley and the safety of all students, Principle Sal Frias reminds students: “Watch your surroundings, walk with a friend or two, and hang out with the right people that you might know what they won’t do.” Knowing how to stay safe on and off campus is a key step in the right direction to a safer campus.
GV’s on-campus deputy, Officer Martinez, emphasized, “I hope, as a society, we can work together and value peace over violence and unity over division.” He then added that school resource officers and deputies are a major component of why schools in Hart District are so safe.
Both Mr. Frias and Officer Martinez equally stated they are optimistic about the future and want students to be safe.
The Education Code in Article 5 School Safety Plans in section 32282.1 Subsection 1 states, “Primary strategies to create and maintain a positive school climate, promote school safety, and increases pupil achievement, and prioritizes mental health and intervention services, restorative and transformative justice programs, and positive behavior interventions and support.” This shows that all of these things are needed to keep schools as safe as possible for students to feel completely comfortable.
There has also been violence in the Santa Clarita community, including the Newhall shooting, an altercation at Valencia, and the shooting by Saugus High School.
A student from GV who lives in the Village Apartments in Newhall, spoke to The Gazette on account of what he had witnessed. “ I heard five loud shots. I thought it was coming from the streets, but I heard it was inside the community pool. I heard a neighbor cry out ‘Are you okay?’ and that’s when people came out and saw the tragedy.”
An email that everyone in the district got said, “It is with sadness that we inform our community of a situation that occurred on the Valencia High School campus today (Friday 28th) where two students were involved in an altercation and injured. During the course of this altercation, one student was stabbed.”
To end off on a decent note, violence, in general, is no joke, scary and heartbreaking. All our community and people can do is hope this wave of violence will decrease and students can actually feel safe in this crazy world.
For more about how Golden Valley and the Hart District has implemented safety measures across our campuses, check out the September 2022 publication Prevention of Targeted Campus Violence: Hart District’s Plan of Action.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact a source below:
GV Student Care Line – 661-375-7297 or email [email protected]
Wellness Center Request and Referral for Support
Email your counselor for extra help and support (can refer you to a school therapist or external help, if needed) here is the counseling page
Teen Line -Text TEEN to 839863 (peer counselors can help at 6pm to 9pm)
Crisis Text Line -Text HELLO to 741741 (free 24/7)
Any other resources can be found on the William S. Hart Union High School District website
Haylie Celeste Adame is a Managing Editor for Community News, and is a junior here at Golden Valley. Though she doesn't have much experience with campus involvement, she continues to spread positivity while in GV. She is passionate about writing stories on Community News Team because of the huge potential and range of stories that can be written. Also, she is very passionate about learning the reason behind things rather than the topic itself, and finds it very interesting.
To her, being a student journalist is having fun, giving information on serious or interesting topics, and being able to be flexible while being collaborative. This really matters not only because it is a good skill to have but also because it’s something new to be in and experience. She loves baking, her family, and school (sometimes). She has the best boyfriend in the world who she is so crazy about. She is going to be having a little brother in about two months.
Arthur Betancourt is a senior at Golden Valley High School. He is involved in CSF and the school’s soccer team as well as previously being in the band program. As a writer on his team, he is heavily interested in all of the arts; however, music has always been his bread and butter. He would love to eventually work with music oriented topics and stories. His love of all things music stems from his experiences in his 7th grade Jazz band, and his various triumphs with his team.
Growing up in an immigrant family, he has developed a love for his Mexican roots and wishes to deepen his connection with the culture. Although he has since moved east from Santa Clarita, he remains in love with the city. Being a native to Santa Clarita, he knows the ins and outs of the city; appreciating it every day a little more.