Gun-related injuries now the leading cause of death for young people, new study shows
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Hey everyone; It’s Lasherica, The Fresno Bee’s Engagement Reporter!
It’s Tuesday, May 31, or as my editor calls it: Monday 2.0. I hope you enjoyed your long weekend and perhaps took a break from the news.
There has been continuous coverage of the tragedy in Uvalde, where 19 kids and two teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School – their home away from home.
We’ve seen their precious faces on TV. We’ve seen the news about legislation that allowed their killer to purchase the rifle at 18. We’ve seen reports about parents, community members, and legislators advocating for gun law reform.
But we’ve seen all of that before. Legislators talk. They argue. Not much changes.
The same talks happened four years ago after the Parkland shooting, where 17 were murdered.
I was just a baby at the time, but I’m sure similar conversations happened after the 1999 Columbine massacre that changed the way law enforcement reacted to school shootings.
As those talks have happened, since 2017, firearm-related injuries have become the No. 1 cause of death for children, teens, and young adults up to 24 years old, according to a New England Journal of Medicine study.
Before that, motor vehicle accidents and injuries were No. 1 for more than 60 years, the study reported.
The changing trend shows how “a concerted approach to injury prevention can reduce injuries and deaths — and, conversely, how a public health problem can be exacerbated in the absence of such attention.”
The public health problem they referred to is gun violence.
“Research has shown that most injuries can be prevented by means of the manufacture and appropriate use of safe products and the implementation of policies reducing product-related danger and the occurrence of hazardous situations,” researchers wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“As the progress made in reducing deaths from motor vehicle crashes shows, we don’t have to accept the high rate of firearm-related deaths among U.S. children and adolescents,” they wrote in the article highlighting the trend.
Read how experts say we can prevent school shootings.
And this age-specific guide to talking to children about school shootings. After all, they are watching us, and the news as these events play out.
Here’s that story and others from our team.
The latest from the Ed Lab
Fresno, Clovis schools review classroom safety in wake of Uvalde shooting
“I beg of each and every one of our Fresno Unified family – if you see something, please SAY SOMETHING,” Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson said in a media statement. “Trust your gut and pay attention to behavior changes and disturbing comments that you hear from others.”
Fresno students of color say they feel ‘unwelcomed’ in Central school name-change debate
Recent poll results show strong support for keeping the school’s name.
Southeast Fresno gains new $15 million culture and arts center thanks to Fresno Pacific
Fresno Pacific University unveiled a new $15 million Culture and Arts Center, which will serve both the campus and surrounding community.
Clovis West High School teacher dies suddenly at 43. He was ‘beloved and respected’
The Clovis West High School community was grieving Friday after a teacher’s death.
And as a FYI: Fresno-area schools celebrate graduation season. Here’s a list of upcoming commencements
MORE FRESNO-AREA EDUCATION NEWS
Sanger High School’s Hi-Lights newspaper won several awards this school year.
The newspaper placed 10th in the nation at the National Scholastic Press Association. The 14-member staff also won first and second place in the high school journalism category of the George F. Gruner Awards for Meritorious Public Service in Journalism after three staff members won the National Journalism Scholar Award.
Sunset Elementary School, the first of Fresno Unified’s 21 dual immersion schools, unveiled a mural celebrating bilingualism, multiculturalism and diversity this past Thursday.
Painted by local artist Jose Elias, the mural features various career paths, the importance of speaking two languages and Deputy Superintendent Misty Her and district staff members who have supported dual immersion at Sunset.
Blue Shield of California donated $16,000 for the mural’s cost.
Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval received the 2021-22 Robert C. Maxson President of the Year award. The Cal State Student Association selected Jiménez-Sandoval for the award, which is given annually to one of California State University’s campus presidents.
Student leaders said he is a leader they strive to be because he is personable, engaging and willing to listen and adapt.
“Especially during these turbulent times, he has been a model for honest, empathetic and driven leadership that has garnered the trust of students across the system,” Isaac Alferos, president of the Cal State Student Association and a senior at Cal State Fullerton said.
Aspen Valley Preparatory Academy in Fresno was awarded the Rise Award from Gradient Learning, a national education nonprofit that oversees the Summit Learning Program, a media release said last week.
Summit Learning is an innovative teaching, learning and mentoring platform that Aspen Valley Prep started using during the 2016-17 school year.
“The Rise Award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities that have come together to constantly improve the quality of teaching and learning,” the media release said about the May 25 award presentation. “At the same time, they’ve created safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging academic opportunities.”
Legislation that will address the way students are placed in remedial community college classes has unanimously passed the state assembly.
The legislation requires colleges to “maximize the probability” that students will complete the coursework within a year of their first attempt at the course and that it satisfies a requirement of students’ academic goals.
“Remedial classes cost students time and money and don’t move them closer to their goals,” Jasmine Prasad, Vice President of Legislative Affairs of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, said for a Pasadena Now article. “AB 1705 will help more students achieve their educational and career goals without being delayed or derailed by remedial courses.”
WANT MORE EDUCATION NEWS? HERE’S WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Ashleigh’s List
In California for years, but still can’t qualify for in-state tuition
“California exempts many undocumented students from paying non-resident tuition. But gaps in the law mean that some undocumented students and visa holders still don’t get exemptions. Two bills pending in the state Legislature would make it easier to qualify.” | CalMatters
Does Your School Have a ‘Slander’ Account?
“During lockdown, hallway gossip migrated to anonymous ‘slander’ or ‘confession’ accounts. Many still operate & disrupt school culture, students say.” | The 74
Julianna’s List
Gun and ammunition found in second grader’s desk at Sacramento school
A second-grader in Sacramento brought a gun and loaded magazine to school on the same day of the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting. | The Sacramento Bee
Adults who borrowed for college doubt higher ed’s value, survey says
A report from the Federal Reserve Board found that adults who borrowed for college and still owe money are more pessimistic about the value of higher education than are those who don’t have debt. | Higher Ed Dive
Lasherica’s List
How language-rich math can help students learning English
“Our story problems are paragraphs long and the students can feel really bogged down when they’re looking at their math page,” a Pajaro Valley Unified math teacher said about her multilingual students in a story about how she and other teachers are using a math strategy that will help in understanding math and learning English. | EdSource
Texas school shooting: How to help kids get through unspeakable horror
Experts give parents age-appropriate advice on how to help their children – even those who weren’t there – cope with the Texas school shooting that left 19 children dead. | Los Angeles Times
Rob’s List
Latest White House plan would forgive $10,000 in student debt per borrower
“The administration has been nearing a final decision on the matter but may delay an announcement.” | The Washington Post
Fresno State professor: How Bullard High’s racial crisis is linked to America’s politics
A Fresno State professor discusses a “direct line” from a racist history in America to events that happened at a Fresno high school. | The Fresno Bee
I know that’s a lot of information to take in.
I’ll end this week’s newsletter by simply saying, see you next time!
This story was originally published May 31, 2022 at 3:36 PM.
