Another gun at our elementary school!

[xoprincessmomxo]

A few months ago, I posted a thread about a 4th grader bringing a handgun to school at our local elementary. My daughter is a first grader, and it really frightened her as well as myself. Our school is small, with grades pre-k through 5th grade in the same building. Parents were not informed about the incident untill two days after it happened. This child was expelled for the rest of the year with private instruction at home so that he will not fall behind a grade. No criminal charges.

In December, a 4th grader brought a knife to school. A letter was sent to parents the same day of the incident. He, too, was expelled for the rest of the year with private instruction.

Fast forward to yesterday, at my DD's dance class where my sister teaches, the other kids were all talking about another child bringing a gun to school. A 5th grader, this time. So far, the parents have not been informed.

I really don't think that school officials are taking this seriously. I also believe that the punishment is way to light. These boys are getting a vacation from school without it even affecting their grade. And, I don't believe anything is being done to prevent students from bringing weapons. They've had "talks" where the guidance counselor comes in to the classrooms and says that "the students were just trying to show off and no one is in danger." But, the what ifs are too great. If it continues to happen, it will just escalate to the point where something does happen, intentional or accidental.

I was just curious what measurements other schools are doing to protect their children from weapons? So far, nothing has changed at our school. I don't want them to wait untill it's too late.

 

[TheZue]

How are their PARENTS not being charged? If my child ever got ahold of a gun long enough to take it to school I would expect CPS to be on my doorstep with the cops right beside them. That's insane.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

How are their PARENTS not being charged? If my child ever got ahold of a gun long enough to take it to school I would expect CPS to be on my doorstep with the cops right beside them. That's insane.

That's what I question, too.

They've received family counseling.

 

[agnes!]

Mama, it's time to go to WAR.

Maybe all the kids need to use a clear backpack, maybe all the kids need to go through metal detectors, maybe all kids need to go through security checks when they enter the building, maybe there needs to be a full-time police officer there during school hours...I don't really know what needs to be done in your case, but *something* has got to change. This sounds like a serious and ongoing systemic problem.

Btw, who is paying for all the private instruction at home for the kids bringing guns/weapons to school? I'll bet it isn't these kids' parents, it's probably done on the taxpayers' dime.

agnes!

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Those were all things I was thinking, too. It just seems threr is NO prevention going on at all.

I'm this close to pulling her out and homeschooling, which is something I really don't want to have to do. But, I don't think it's safe there.

 

[dismom2]

You may not be hearing the whole story. Have you gone to the school and talked to them personally? I'm not sure what all a school can do--they can't prevent someone from bringing a weapon to school. Basically, I blame the parents. Where do you think the kids are getting these weapons? Parents who have kids with anger problems need to address these problems first at home so it doesn't escalate and branch out to school, work, etc... these kids need counciling, and most of all, need guidence and good role models at home, and attention. There is a fine line between what some people call "helicopter parents" (the ones who are seen as too involved in thier childs life) and neglectful parents. I see neglectful parents all around--not to say that is the case with all troubled kids, but if you look at thier home lives you will learn a lot. Most of all, there is no excuse to have weapons within a child reach. I think the parents should be held accountable, too. As far as the kids still being allowed to learn at home and get thier grades still---- I think that is a good idea. If you let a kid fail out of school, where do you think that kid will end up in life? That could make things much worse in the long run. Drop outs have a higher chance of living a life of crime. Yes, they should be punished, and punished severely, but they should be allowed to straighten thier lives out.
With that being said, I just want to add that I would be concerned as well. If my childs safety was being compromised, and not just from an isolated incident, I would consider switching her or him schools if it came down to it.
Go down and talk to the school personel and ask them what they are doing, and what they plan to do in the future. If you disagree, or have better suggestions, by all means, speak your mind. It's sad, isn't it?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Handguns? Wow! Even knives are an issue, but a little more understandable.

If I had multiple reports of handguns in my boy's elem school, we would move them to another school. I would not hope that the government was going to correct the problem for me...

 

[mickeyboat]

It is time for a mandatory parents meeting at your school to tell all parents how serious these incidents are and what parents need to do to prevent them. I also think the school should work with local law enforcement to make sure parents understand how they might be held liable if their children take a weapon to school, and somehow hurt someone.

This school needs to take these incidents much more seriously.

Denae

 

[Princess_Michelle]

.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

I would love to switch schools. Unfortunately, our town is very small and the other two county schools will end up merging with ours in just a couple of years. They're graduating classes had 6 and 8 students last year. That would compromise my daughter's education. The next closest school would be over 30 miles away in the nearest town.

I totally agree that it is the parents fault that these kids are brining the guns. But, I don't see these types of parents changing.

I think the idea of clear backpacks is a great idea. As is a cop on duty, which I think would be enough to scare kids this young.

I really wish that they would schedule a community meeting or something to discuss this and the plans to improve it.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

It is time for a mandatory parents meeting at your school to tell all parents how serious these incidents are and what parents need to do to prevent them. I also think the school should work with local law enforcement to make sure parents understand how they might be held liable if their children take a weapon to school, and somehow hurt someone.

This school needs to take these incidents much more seriously.

Denae

I think you hit the nail on the head. I think this absolutely needs to be brought up.

 

[mickeyboat]

Also, see if there are any programs in your area which provide free trigger locks.

See if the school will include a program, maybe integrated into their fire safety program, which teaches kids what to do if they see a gun in their home, at school or in someone else's home. I tell you, my kids come home from school all the time talking about how we need to change the batteries in the smoke detectors, how we need to buy escape ladders and how we need to practice our evacuation routes and set up a meeting place in case of a fire.

Denae

 

[dismom2]

Also, see if there are any programs in your area which provide free trigger locks.

See if the school will include a program, maybe integrated into their fire safety program, which teaches kids what to do if they see a gun in their home, at school or in someone else's home. I tell you, my kids come home from school all the time talking about how we need to change the batteries in the smoke detectors, how we need to buy escape ladders and how we need to practice our evacuation routes and set up a meeting place in case of a fire.

Denae

This is a good idea. My kids come home and remind us to check the batteries in the smoke alarms, too, and other important things. The parents won't always show up for these parent meetings, so teaching the kids does help.