If you went to school in the 20th century, your biggest safety concern was a throw to your head during gym dodgeball.
If you’re in school now, it’s being killed in your classroom.
Every student today has grown up with “active shooter” drills. They’re taken very seriously: Locking doors. Remaining quiet. Waiting for help to arrive.
Many students realize the reality of school shootings as part of their lives.
Zander Bauer and Elijah Falkenstein want to do something about it.
The Staples High School juniors are founders and co-presidents of the local Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS) chapter.
They first learned of the non-profit from someone directly impacted by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High massacre in Florida.
After hearing about its mission (to empower students and staff to help create and maintain a culture of safety and vigilance) and initiatives (for example, passing Alyssa’s Law, which calls for installing silent panic alarms directly linked to law enforcement, dramatically reducing response time), the friends organized the first MOSS club in Connecticut.
At the beginning of this school year, they met with State Senator Ceci Maher. She introduced the bill, and has been very supportive.
Last month, Zander and Elijah testified before the state legislature. They spent hours preparing their testimony.
They expected to be in Hartford, But a snowstorm forced the hearing onto Zoom.
“We waited in a room nervously for what seemed like days,” Zander says.
The format was difficult. Several bills were introduced throughout the hearing. Many people spoke.
Finally they got their chance. Zander was the 56th speaker. Elijah was 81st. “In this generation, I have never fully felt safe at school,” Elijah said.
“In the end, we felt really proud of ourselves. We accomplished our mission, and learned a tremendous amount about the legislative process.”
But the legislative wheels grind slowly. So far, Connecticut has not yet joined the 7 states — New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah — that enacted Alyssa’s Law.
The bill has passed through the Committee for Children. Next up: a vote on the Senate floor. If it passes, it goes to the House, then to Governor Lamont for his signature.
Zander and Elijah have taken action in other ways too. They raised funds to install 7 “Stop the Bleed” kits at Staples, and ensured that all teachers are been trained to use them.
Now — because no level is immune to gun violence — their goal is to donate kits to Westport’s 7 middle and elementary schools. (Click here to help raise $5,000.)
Elijah Falkenstein and Zander Bauer, with “stop the bleed” kits.
The club presidents have enjoyed strong encouragement from superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice. Assistant principal Christine Cincotta helped the club earn official status. Brennan Morgan serves as faculty advisor.
MOSS secretary Mary Stevens, treasurer Dylan Shackleford, social media managers Julian Gravelle and Kate Coykendall,and PR managers Reece Dearborn and Gabe Hellmann have also been very active in the cause.
Elijah and Zander have been bolstered by friends’ support also. “They understand that the work we’re doing will benefit all of us, and the entire community,” Zander says.
And — if their efforts in Hartford are successful — the entire state too.
(Click below for the entire legislative hearing. Zander’s comments begin at 5:52:47. Elijah’s starts at 7:07:27. The testimony of Lori Alhadeff — the mother of Alyssa, for whom the bill is named — are at 6:06:03.)
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