2nd grader caught with a pocket knife at school

[crs7568]

My daughter came home from school yesterday and told me that she overheard a boy in her second grade class telling a friend that he had to go to the principal's office because he had gotten caught with a pocketknife. I told her that she may have misunderstood and explained about the rudeness of eavesdropping. Today she came home and said that the boy was bragging to her directly about how he got out of trouble by crying and got away with a mere phone call home to his parents. He told her and several other kids about how he brought the knife to "be safe". Apparently he was quite proud of manipulating his way out of trouble or perhaps he was trying to look cool in front of his friends.

I am very upset about the incident and plan to talk to the principal. I don't want to look like an alarmist but I feel like there are several issues. For one, the boy apparently got in little to no trouble and brags about it to his peers. What kind of message does that send? Also, many of the children in the class know about the incident now. I think that an adult should talk to the class and discuss the serious nature and possible danger of bringing a weapon to school with them.

Do you think that I am overreacting? Does anyone have any suggestions about better ways to handle the situation or alternative suggestions? I would really appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Caryn

 

[browneyes]

I'd call the teacher about my concerns. If he/she doesn't do anything, call the principal.

 

[bclydia]

I'd say call the principal. If he/she handed out the discipline in question then it's seems only fair to take your concerns to the source. I'd preface the conversation with a disclaimer, something to the effect of ... this is information from a second grader so she may not have the details right but this is why you're concerned. Best of luck to you!!!!

 

[clh2]

When my DD was in 2nd grade, a boy in her class was supspended for several days (I believe it was 3 days) for having a pocket knife.

It really bothers me that the boy in your daughter's class was bragging bothers me. It is downright eerie, IMHO.

And to think I read in the paper today, that a 2nd grader was suspended for using the word H*** when the school had a "no profanity" rule. Yet, the words that would put one in violation of this rule aren't clearly defined.

I would definitely discuss your concerns with the principal, there's no need to start with the teacher on this concern, since the child was sent to the principal's office in the first place.

 

[tiggerlover]

I would definitely address my concerns to the principal, if what is said is true than I would be concerned on the lack of discipline to the child just because he cried.

I am from Orange County and will be moving back there in the future and if this is what I can expect from the principal of the public schools I am not sure I would want my child to attend there.

 

[mommytotwo]

That is very scary. I wouldn't want my child to go back to that school until I find out that an incident like that wouldn't happen again.

 

[poohandwendy]

I would make sure to get the facts straight before becoming alarmed. Talk to the principal or teacher to find out exactly what happened. I suspect the boy is fibbing to appear 'tough'. If not, I would check to see what the school policy is regarding weapons and ask for full compliance of the policy, including disciplinary action. And I would also want it to be on record that you have requested it. It is unlikely they have no clearly written policy regarding weapons on campus (the lawyers and insurance demand it nowdays). If they don't, they seriously need one.

Our school has a 'zero tolerance' approach to weapons or even threats of any kind (even 'fake' weapons). Every student (from K-12) is aware of it and has to sign an agreement with the school that they understand it. The parents also have to sign that they have discusssed these rules with their child. Btw, the punishment is an automatic 10 days out-of-school suspension, no questions asked. May be considered harsh to some, but the students take it very seriously.

But, like I said, I would make sure that you have all of the facts
before getting upset.

Edited to add: (I missed this in the OP):

I think that an adult should talk to the class and discuss the serious nature and possible danger of bringing a weapon to school with them.

IMHO....That is not enough, there needs to be specific disciplinary action for ALL students who bring in any weapons, for any reason. The age of the student should not matter. Talking about the danger is not enough. The mesage has to be absolute that weapons will NOT be tolerated on school grounds under any circumstances. Not for self-protectiion, not for show-and-tell...not ever.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yea, it's hard to believe him. I would get to the bottom of the situation first before becoming alarmed.

 

[lrmillen]

This thread brings out the sad situation our society has gotten itself into. Yes, I agree with everyone that some action needs to be taken against this boy. The sad part about it is that it was a pocketknife. It's a shame all of the useful everyday objects that have now been termed weapons. There were many times my husband and I wished we had our pocketknife (swissarmy) when traveling, but had to leave it at home for fear of it being confiscated at the terminal. Just the other day the man in front of us at security got his shaving set taken away from him. I know it is for safty's sake though and i don't want to sound so negative. We also have to remember that he is just a little boy and that they all think weapons are cool, they'll make a gun out of their fingers if they aren't given a toy one. sorry to go off like that, and it would be good to have the weapon matter addressed in every school. It should be a police run program, like D.A.R.E.

 

[crs7568]

Unfortunately there is yet another snow day here so I can't do anything about it today. Thank you for all of the great suggestions. I spoke to my daughter's best friend who also heard him talking about the incident to my daughter. Clearly he was not suspended because he was in school the next day. I definitely plan to preface the conversation with the principal by saying that the information is coming from a second grader. I have to say though that we all know our kids and my daughter is consistently reliable with her information so I tend to believe that the child is at the least telling people that he got caught.

 

[Zurg]

Back in the dark days when I was a kid and cars had tail fins, taking a knife to school was no big deal as long as you didn't disturbe what was going on by playing with it in class. A pocket knife was a pocket knife.

We also had air raid drills, and there was this song about duck and cover.

Now when you went to the principal you were scared. I bet kids still are. You cracked like and egg and took you punishment, I got paddled more than once, and you went back and pretended it was no big deal to save face.

Times change eh? or do they?

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by Zurg
Back in the dark days when I was a kid and cars had tail fins, taking a knife to school was no big deal as long as you didn't disturbe what was going on by playing with it in class. A pocket knife was a pocket knife.

We also had air raid drills, and there was this song about duck and cover.

Now when you went to the principal you were scared. I bet kids still are. You cracked like and egg and took you punishment, I got paddled more than once, and you went back and pretended it was no big deal to save face.

Times change eh? or do they?

Wow Zurg, and it wasn't THAT long ago either for three of my DS's who are 19, 22 and 25. On the days that they wore their boy scout uniforms to school, the pocket knife was a part of the uniform and always worn on the belt. It was, in fact, the only knife you could bring to school.

 

[crs7568]

I understand the point you are making about boyscouts and pocketknives. Believe me, this is no boyscout and he did say that he was carrying it as a form of protection. His exact quote was "To be safe" not "To be prepared" like a boy scout.

I just have to wonder what this second grader will feel compelled to bring to school for protection when he is in high school. My daughter will be going to school with this boy for a long time and I have heard the stories about him bullying people since kindergarten. I would hate to see the school miss out on an opportunity to make an impression on him while he is still young.

Sadly, times have changed a lot since the days of tail fins on cars. Kids did not know about things like Columbine back then. I do feel a bit like an alarmist making an example of a second grader but I think that communities have to send the right message to children starting at a very early age that schools are safe places and anyone who does something that could even potentially jeopardize that safety will need to pay a price. You make choices and there are consequences for those choices.