Emily Peterson said recent violent incidents affecting local schools make safety a top concern and that adults’ heated rhetoric can worsen the situation.

Peterson, who had met with teachers affected by recent events, said policies and procedures exist to restrict weapons at school but that rhetoric and a culture of extreme language can influence children. “We could do better at toning down our rhetoric,” she said, arguing for open dialogue that lets ideas be vetted without escalating to personal vilification.

Peterson acknowledged there is no single solution to violent incidents but said reducing dehumanizing language and teaching children to disagree without hostility are concrete steps the adult community can take to lessen the environment that can lead to violence.