As a parent of a 12-year-old boy in the Fayette County school district, I write this as an appeal to all parents of children everywhere. We are all saddened and fearful due to the recent violent events in Colorado and Georgia. We wonder if we should keep them home from school or begin to home-school them to protect them.

Neither will ultimately insure their safety nor eliminate our fears. That is not reality. Going to school with friends and reaping the benefits of a social structure prepare our children for the challenges of adult life. We must listen, instruct, correct and teach moral values beyond what is taught at school. That is a job we all took when we became parents.

What can you do? Well, actually a lot. I have gotten on my soap box with my son and his peers when I hear them talking of the shootings in Colorado. I have, as you say, "gotten in their faces" about it. I have made them bring it home, to think what it would feel like if that was their mother or sister who had been shot. I am not gentle with them, but their idle talk is no longer innocent. I make them think and they thank me for it and even come up with things they can do to avoid violence. They do have choices and power, and we must direct that energy.

Most of the schools have gone to lock-down for the rest of the year and letters have been sent home requesting that parents help, volunteer, monitor the hallways and be seen as a presence. The teachers and office staff are being forced into being guards and the children are confused and scared. We as parents need to help the teachers get back to the job of teaching our kids. The kids well, they need to be free to be children in a learning environment without fear.

There is no excuse to not help. None of us are so busy that we can't give up lunch, leave an hour early for work, or even take a day off to help in this time of unrest. We owe it to our children, our society, and to the people who are striving to educate our children.

On the spur of the moment I gave up two hours of my day off to help today. And you know what, it felt good. The kids looked at me in slight confusion yet acceptance that here's a mom we know just keeping an eye on things. They got accustomed to me being in the hallway and I think it gave them a sense of security. The appreciation I received from the staff and teachers was heartfelt and warm.

Best of all was the look in my son's eyes when he saw me there. He was glad and proud that his mom was there helping. No job has ever given me that sense of pride and satisfaction.

So, please contact you child's school, ask what you can do. There are only two weeks left of this school year; you can make a difference. The summer will hopefully be a time for cooling down and healing.