Elementary School & Violence Question

[kilee]

DS is in 4th grade and has another 9 days of school left. Anyhow, he mentioned 2 weeks ago that they had a cop sitting in the cafeteria during lunch time. DH & I assumed he was just there "visiting" or giving a talk to another class. Anyhow, we never discussed it again.

Tonight DS tells me he's been a little worried because there are now 2 cops and they've been following his class everytime they leave their classroom. They sit through lunch and things like phys. ed. anyhow he says this has been going on for the full 2 weeks.

The weird thing is, it's only his class. He's in a large class (47 students w/ 3 teachers and 2 Teachers aides). A little while ago, they were having some issues w/ violence amongst the boys. Nothing serious-- it was some shoving and stuff. However, after suspension of all class privleges-- it appears to have stopped. That was about a month ago.

So, I'm alittle nervous about what these cops are doing there. We are a smaller school in the country-- not really too much happens around here. However, I know that doesn't make us immune to school shootings and violence.

He did mention that they got a new student about a month ago and that he heard from some other students that you "have to watch out for him because he carries knives". But he said thats all he heard.

I intend to call the school Monday-- but I don't know what to make of all this. I've asked around and it only appears to be my son's class the cops are "watching over". I really don't think it's for the small issues they were having-- I mean it would be an awfully costly way to "keep order"-- so I'm thinking it's got to be something bigger than that.

 

[mommytotwo]

I would be very concerned of the situation and would approach the principal directly instead of calling. If you call, they can try and give you an answer just to distract you from the actual situation.
It is weird to have two cops there, the cost that it would cost the school to have them there, having it be only your son's class...
Hope everything goes well, keep us updated.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

hmm that does sound a little weird..i agree with the 1st poster and would go directly to the principal

 

[N.Bailey]

I don't believe that the school would have to pay to have the cops there. I could be wrong about that, but I'd think it would come at the tax payers expense. I would however contact the school right away. I wouldn't want my kids exposed to any child that might have knives. If it's knives though, I'd think they would be checking the child?!?! I don't know, but it doesn't sound good to me.

 

[kilee]

I actually may not send him to class on Monday until I get to the bottom of this. I am 100% sure they are going to give me the run around-- as they are sooo good at doing this. I just have a "bad feeling". I don't want to over-react-- but somethings just not adding up here.

 

[tiggerlover]

I would definitely be concerned and I would definitely call the school as soon as they are open. It seems to me if there was an issue the school should have notified the parents to avoid having the parents find out from their kids and have to get upset about something. Good luck when you contact them and please let us know what happens.

 

[powellrj]

This happened when my oldest DS was in grade school. It was a custody battle gone bad and one of the parents made threats about taking the kids. It was taken seriously and there were police at the school for many weeks. If I remember, they couldn't tell us what was going on until after everything cleared up. They would just something vague when asked what was going on. Good luck, I know it upset me, but my DS thought it was cool to have cops at schoo.

 

[kilee]

My DS thinks its kind of cool too. He has an edge of concern, but went on to tell us about the guns they are carrying, along w/ the handcuffs. How they sit w/ different tables at lunch each day, and it's really cool when it's your table they pick......

Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[lindamg]

Speaking as an elementary school teacher, you certainly have a right to ask what is going on. From what I've read here, I think the option of it being a custody problem sounds the most likely to me. If that is the case you won't get a straight answer from the administration, they legally can't give you one.

It might be helpful if you approached the administration from the perspective of clearing up the information your son is bringing home. I'm not saying your son isn't telling the truth, but kids at that level do tend to dramatize situations when they talk to each other. (Especially the bright ones. I teach gifted kids - some of them can be real drama queens!) The administration may be more open to talking with you if you appear to be trying to straighten out information, rather than blaming them for something. Not saying you are, just suggesting that is always a good way to approach the admin people!

As for this being a situation of the cops "babysitting" a child who has been known to bring knives to school, or has been in trouble in the past, that just seems really far-fetched! I can't imagine a situation where our school would react like that. There are so many other ways of handling a situation like this without involving two full-time cops.

Good luck figuring this out! Frankly, I'd love to hear how it turns out! My vote is, it's something so simple we're not even thinking of it, and the kids are enjoying the attention and telling stories.