After year of violence, US schools try to tame tensions

By JOCELYN GECKER
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — One of the most difficult academic years in the nation’s history was also one of the most violent. That’s according to educators and experts, who reported many more fights and assaults since last fall. Now, as students head out on summer break, schools are taking stock of what went wrong and how to fix it. Educators and psychologists say the pandemic contributed to the volatility in schools by causing a surge in student mental health problems, trauma at home, a lack of socializing opportunities, and a shortage of teachers and counselors that reduced adult supervision and guidance.