School—what is supposed to be a haven for learning, growth, and self-discovery—has become a place that many students across the country fear. Hundreds of school shootings have plagued our country over the past few decades. Columbine. Sandy Hook. Robb Elementary. The list goes on and on. More recently, one hit closer to home: Annunciation.

Yet, there has been little to no effective action in response to these incidents. What will it take for the government to see that this is a real problem? How many students will have to participate in drills or hide under tables for there to be real change? This cycle has become familiar: students are injured or killed, reform is promised, and then, nothing.

However, the impacts of these tragedies stretch far beyond the body counts shown on the news. They appeared on Aug. 27, when students learned of the events unfolding just 10 minutes away that impacted members of their community, close and far. Impacts appear every time there is an ALICE drill, and students wonder whether or not the lockdown is real or practice. Impacts appear at the candlelight vigils that pay honor to victims and their families. They will continue to appear, again and again, unless there is a change.

Every time, Instagram stories flood students’ feeds with government posts asking for thoughts and prayers. Yet, social media is often performative and inadequate. While it invokes change, there are no results. Bills calling for gun legislation, whether that be red flag laws, background checks, or assault weapon bans, routinely die in committee or don’t pass legislation.

Let school shootings be recognized as the tragedy that they are, rather than a political matter. This topic affects far more people than those participating in civil discourse. Because until students don’t have to worry about whether they’ll be next, and until parents are not afraid of sending their children to school, the system is failing. And, as proven, it will continue to fail, again and again.