7th grade student in my kid's school threatened to get gun and shoot everyone.

[halobeam]

My son came home from school today and just told us this.

The child is in in-school suspension. He has ADD and is currently on medication. We know him personally (although do not know his parents well.) He comes to our home frequently, seems coherent and responsive to us and yet we suspect there are family issues going on in the home. Of course we have no idea if this child has access to a gun.

My son said he is scared to go to school. I know there are privacy rights the school will claim to have, but I want to know what the facts are, from the school. We have decided to call the school.

What information would you ask if you were in a similar situation and decided to call the school?

[kirby]

1. Threats should be taken seriously...

I would call the police, not the school.

[MrCoffee]

2. Seconded. Call the police.

[halobeam]

4. even if this happened in the school and the school is taking action?

[Journeyman]

8. I think you're best to call the school first. . .

find out what actually transpired, and what steps the school is taking to protect all the children in the school, your child as well as this other boy. Try and find out what help, if any, the school is going to get for this child and what, if anything, you might be able to do to help.

I'd go to the police as a last resort, and only if you feel the school is failing in its responsibilities. After all, what will it take to discuss this with the school, maybe an hour or so?

[halobeam]

13. good questions...

noted. Thank you.

[MrCoffee]

OK, that wasn't very clear...

I thought from your OP that the other kid made the threats to your son, and your son told you first.

If the school knows, call them and find out what they plan to do about it.

[halobeam]

16. I'm sorry, I tried to make the post clear.

thanks for helping me clarify.

[MrCoffee]

23. It's probably not you, it's me

Posting under the influence of heavy OTC cold meds. Good times. :thumbsup:

[halobeam]

39. hope you feel better soon.

rough season for colds and flu.

[lonestarnot]

83. What in the fuck is wrong with you people?

Have you ever heard of compassion? Have you ever heard of love? Why don't you call the police on yourself?

[Darth_Kitten]

88. Compassion? Kids always threaten death with guns?

I wouldn't feel compassionate if I heard the words "guns at school" coming out of my kid's mouth.

[sandnsea]

3. Oh boy

Well, first, in-school suspension is not adequate at this point. If the child made that threat, he should be in a 3 day psychiatric observation situation. Sane people don't threaten to shoot everybody. And even if it was an "acting out" type threat, at least 3 days of observation would make the child realize the seriousness of words.

The tough part is, you don't have any rights to any personal info on the kid. Can you contact the PTA? Form a committee of some sort? Get educated. Check the school's emergency plan. Make sure you've got anger management groups going. See what kind of training your counselors have got. All that sort of thing.

Holy criminy I would be terrified if I were you. I do not know how you send your kid back to school under those circumstances. Very scary. :hug:

[halobeam]

10. I can try to reach someone in the PTA

that's a good start. I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to get personal information. It's policy to contact the parents if the child has in-school suspension, I'm sure they followed that.

I do agree he should have a period of observation by a doctor, not sitting in a classroom all day long.

I am terrified, especially since my son knows him pretty well around the neighborhood. That could be better or worse, if anything were to happen God forbid. My son has always treated this child well, but if he's out of it, who's to say. That's a personal aside. I'm scared for all of the kids truthfully.

Too much going on these days, these poor children. All of them.

[AZBlue]

76. The school district may be able to weigh in here too.

And they may have more resources (like conseling) that an individual school wouldn't.

[TwilightGardener]

5. This is so weird, my own son (12) just had in-school suspension for

the same thing--threatening to shoot a classmate who was taunting him. He has ADD and had recently had a med adjustment, and big academic difficulties, that threw him into a tailspin--weird similarities. We don't have a gun (for obvious reasons, in a household where one of our members has poor impulse control). We talked to the principal, and he didn't take further action, but I let him know that I agreed such talk was inappropriate and frightening in today's climate, and that I would talk to my son about it. My son was unaware that anyone would take his threat seriously, was just speaking impulsively and out of anger, and was stunned when I told him that the authorities might have gotten involved because of what he said--he was very lucky to get by with just the suspension. It might make you feel better to call the school and make sure that the principal has spoken to the parents about this, at the very least. I am on the painful end of this, myself, but this is a serious matter.

[halobeam]

19. wow.

That is certainly the other side to this. Meds are so frightening for any age as we have way too much knowledge in this area. Meds themselves and their side effects, or a re-adjustment, or non-compliance, etc.

You must have had your heart in your throat. I'll take your advice and others here and ask regarding their communication with the parents. Do I have a right to know if the parents are taking the proper measures on their end of this? Do I have the right to know what the school policy is to follow up on the parents responsibility part of this?

[TwilightGardener]

25. I don't know how far you'll get, but I would think you certainly have the

right to question the principal to make sure that the parents know that this kid has said such things and should be carefully watched, and maybe taken to the doctor. I felt terrible when it happened to our family, but I also know my son, and I know that he likes to blurt shocking things in anger and then he forgets about it 10 minutes later, so I didn't feel that he was a threat (and again, he has absolutely no access to guns). He's very immature for his age, and doesn't realize that he's at an age now where people take what he says seriously. I am glad the school talked to me about it, and I agreed to the suspension. We're in a holding pattern with his meds, because he isn't doing any better academically or impulse-wise on them. Don't feel bad about asking questions, though--it's a serious matter that can affect public safety, not a private family affair.

[halobeam]

29. thank you

I appreciate your being open; it helps me to understand better.

[TwilightGardener]

31. No problem, glad to share my unfortunate experience.

[sandnsea]

24. Being a buttinsky here

I have a step-son who had all sorts of problems so I am certainly not judging. Also, you don't even have to answer this. But I do wonder if your school has the same kinds of things I recommended above. Anger management group. Are the counselors trained specifically in identifying when a kid is going into a psychotic type break, or other behaviors that might identify kids in immediate danger. What's the emergency procedure. All of that. I think it benefits everybody to be pro-active in their schools in that way. I feel for you though, it isn't easy. :hug:

[TwilightGardener]

28. Don't worry--I'm not offended in any way, I don't mind discussing it.

No, my kid goes to a small rural school district--very limited in resources, very parent-dependent. I don't think they're well-equipped to handle this sort of thing, but they did take his threat seriously and immediately pulled him out of class and contacted me with my son in the office--I thought that was handled appropriately, at least. I imagine if they were not able to contact me or get satisfactory assurances that I would talk to my son and make sure he couldn't do anything to follow up on his threat, they would have called the police--at least, I hope so.

[tomreedtoon]

94. Are you guys all idiots? Psychiatists and teachers are frauds!

They are there to milk you of money and attention. They have never solved a problem, and they have never stopped a severely retarded and angry person from killing anybody. They don't even give a damn about the kid himself.

Face it. If the kid has been abused, he's a ticking time bomb that nobody can defuse. Get the hell away from him. And none of this feely-touchy compassion crap, unless you want to be the next victim.

[greenbriar]

6. the thing is, if this kid has an IEP, they can not expell him until it goes to a manifestation heari

to see if this behavior is manifested from his disability. If it is not, then they can expell him, but...it has to go through a process

[Ilsa]

47. And they can check him periodically such as when

he arrives for school, right? Make sure he isn't carrying? Or use a wand to check for a weapon since they probably don't have a metal detector? That would put my mind at ease.

[greenbriar]

61. oh definately

they can search him every day and his locker and his friends lockers too!!!


they just have to be careful with suspension and expullsion if he has an IEP

[proud2BlibKansan]

73. That's not entirely true

If he commits a crime (and making a threat like this is indeed a crime) they CAN put him out of school. A manifestation hearing merely determines whether he is entitled to special ed services while he is out of school. That's why they have to decide if the behavior is a result of the disability. If it is, they can't be deprived of an education and they are eligible for homebound services while out of school.

There is a lot of misunderstanding regarding special ed kids and suspensions. Most of the principals in my district think they cannot suspend special ed kids for more than 10 days. But the truth is they CAN suspend them as many days as they need to be suspended; they just have to request a manifestation hearing once they have been suspended more than 10 days. The same is true for expulsion. If a special ed kid commits an offense that warrants expulsion, s/he needs to be expelled. Then the hearing determines if the are entitled to an education even though they have been expelled.

I am not sure what the law is in Kansas, but the 10 day rule is what we have in MO. That may be a federal standard, I am really not sure.

[Fleshdancer]

7. Wow halobearm, that's pretty heavy stuff

I would ask the school if they are aware of this threat and ask point blank what they are doing to secure the safety of the students. Then I would visit the parents of the kid and have a calm, honest discussion about what has happened and then I would ask them what they are doing to help their son and if my family could help in any way. If that conversation goes badly, I would probably call the non-emergency number to the local police department and explain what I know and see what they have to say.

My heart goes out to your son. No kid should have to go to school in fear of their own safety. :(

Please keep us updated on the situation.

[halobeam]

14. I think I'm afraid to go to this childs' parents.

I'm unsure how things are over there. This poor child is outside a lot. Just the other day, we saw him in brutal weather dressed like it was summer. I was very disturbed by this.

I'm bookmarking and taking all these questions to the school.

Thank you for your input. I will keep an update going.

[Fleshdancer]

17. start documenting when you see things like that

You might need the information someday if you sense a need to contact child protective services.

[halobeam]

21. I agree.

thank you.

[onethatcares]

18. just maybe, you should have

stopped and asked him if he wanted to go to your house to see your son. Maybe some conversation would have been in order. A kid outside in summer type clothing in the winter definitely needs some help.

[halobeam]

20. We did pick him up and take him home.

I now do wish I thought of your suggestion, right there and then. Damn.

[Iris]

35. Have you considered making a report to DFCS?

You could also tell the principal about your concerns - he would then be obligated as an educator to report this to the proper authorities.

[halobeam]

36. I hate putting things into the gov't's hands...

especially since I don't have dates and notes, as someone has mentioned I should start doing. For all I know, the family could just be under regular stress, and doing everything right. I mentioned to a diff. poster here that for all I know the parents were working and the grandma took a nap. The child is almost 13, so being out and around isn't terrible. Maybe once we dropped him off home, dressed like that, they talked to him about being dressed properly for the weather, etc.

I just don't trust this gov't. There are some really inept people in some departments. This child has his own share of problems, I'm sure. If they really are being addressed properly, I'd hate to add to it. I need to find out from the school some of the answers to some very good questions suggested here and then I'll probably know whether or not something still isn't sitting right with me.

I'm not sure though. This is a tough call, damn.
What would you do?

[Iris]

40. Honestly?

I'd try to talk to the parents - as one parent to another. You know, something like, "My son told me about...." "Is there anything we can do?" But I'd do it face-to-face. At least then you'd get a feel for what's going on in the home.

I understand your concerns about gov't. agencies, but if you think about it, the situation IS in the hands of a gov't agency, the school, which is doing the best it can with what limited information it has.

[halobeam]

59. I just put an update of the situation at the bottom of this thread

Thanks again!

[pengillian101]

9. Scary situation.

I think that even if I didn't know the parents very well, I'd call them. They apparently know that their son comes into your home frequently. I'd let them know that I was also contacting the police and the school stating this boy's threat. This must be taken extremely seriously, imo.

[RB TexLa]

11. And people jumped all over me when I said I lock my doors when driving through school zones

We all know what those things are capable of doing.

[Irishonly]

12. Call the school

Is he in in-school suspension because of the threat? Unfortunately, you can not be too careful these days.

[halobeam]

15. Yes I believe it is because of the threat.

One of my first questions I plan on asking.

[fascisthunter]

22. Don't Worry... the NRA will Make it Harder for Him to Get One

they know what's best for guns and society.


Definitely call the school.:sarcasm:

[halobeam]

26. I'm assuming I don't have the right to know

whether this child actually does have access to a gun or not. Dad could be a hunter, a cop.. and like I mentioned throughout the thread, I'm unsettled regarding the situation at his house (nothing definitive.. for all I know when I saw the child outside in bad weather w/ summer clothing on, his parents could've been at work and the grandparent sleeping..etc. I think that not knowing is the part that is bothering me.)

[Wcross]

32. Maybe the fact that the majority of the school shooters were also on medication....

Is it the NRA or the schools that pump these kids full of psychiatric drugs who are to blame for the shootings at school? I wish there was a "no sarcasm" smiley.

[halobeam]

33. Is this what you would ask the school?

I'm in need for some serious intelligent questions, that I have a legal right to the answers.

I hear your point and it's all relevant, but if you could help me with what you think I should ask the school, I'd very much appreciate it.

[Wcross]

43. I guess it is a reason you SHOULD take it seriously.

He fits the profile. Face it, if he says he is going to get a gun and kill people at school it didn't just pop into his head as an idle thought. He has been thinking about it. You have an obligation to report it to anyone & everyone who will listen. Start with the police. The kid needs to be dealt with BEFORE there is a need for the SWAT team.

On edit, the reply was in response to facisthunters remarks, I responded to your original post separately.

[halobeam]

53. thank you.

What a world.

[fascisthunter]

64. yuh... access to guns have nothing to do with this

:crazy:

It's instead, about medication and mental illness. You pro-gunner never want to admit that guns are part of the equation. It's why most don't even bother talking to you about guns in general.

[Wcross]

70. I had a rifle in bedroom when I was 12 years old.

My parents had no fear that I would shoot anyone. This was in the 70's, today kids are taking guns to schools & killing their classmates. You could MAIL ORDER a gun prior to 1968, does access get any easier than that? Why are we having mass killings at schools now? Why not back when guns were REALLY easy to get? The widespread use of ritalin & other psychiatric drugs to maintain an orderly classroom is a recent phenomenon.

I admit guns are used in these shootings, otherwise they could not be called shootings. The per ca-pita gun ownership rate has remained stable. How could anyone but a gun grabber say the reason mass shootings in gun free zones is caused by the availability of guns? Isn't it purported to be "gun free"? Is the fact that guns are no more prevalent now as they were 30 years ago yet mass shootings at gun free zones have become a problem? What ELSE but a mental illness would make someone want to kill as many people as possible before they die? Could this illness be aggravated by the over use of psychiatric drugs in order to control the children?

Most anti gun people, to me, seem delusional. They blame an inanimate OBJECT for violence. They fail to acknowledge they are fighting 17th century technology and they figure laws will eradicate the problem. They apparently see no need to examine why human life has become so cheap lately. WHY people pull the trigger.

If guns cause violence, why aren't there mass shootings at gun clubs or gun shows? Why is it always "The gun free zone"? Clearly guns are NOT the root cause of mass shootings. The mere fact someone has a gun does not trigger murderous intent. It starts in that shooters head.

[Paladin]

86. How About We Elevate The Level Of This Argument A Bit?

Nobody---I mean nobody, not even the most radical gun banner---is claiming that guns as inanimate objects themselves are the problem here; such a claim has never been made. When a statement like "Guns are responsible for___deaths every year," it's not meant to indicate that guns themselves are shooting people, it means that people are utilizing guns in killings way too much in this country. It's a glaringly obvious point that shouldn't even have to be made, and it's indicative of just how stupid the debate has gotten, courtesy of the Guns For Everybody crowd.

And yet another obvious point: there are young people all over the world with mental health issues, lots of them are medicated, lots of them have parents who aren't overseeing them like they should, lots of them don't have access to the kind of health services they need, lots of them are exposed to the most dangerous influences and lifestyles their societies offer---and yet mass shootings are hardly happening in the rest of the world. Saying that the availability of firearms isn't a factor in these incidents is ridiculous to anybody who isn't pushing a pro-gun agenda.....

[Wcross]

99. LOL.

So when someone proposes a "gun ban" that means what? Isn't that blaming a specific type of gun for violence? So, guns ARE to blame in the eyes of those who would ban them.

Why are these incidents so rare in France, Canada & Norway despite having a rate of gun ownership only slightly less than that of the United States? (http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcgvintl.html) Is it really the availability of guns in our society or is the willingness to use them? If it is the willingness to use them then it is a mental health issue. How could anyone argue the urge to do a mass killing is anything else BUT mental illness? Go ahead and blame gun availability if you want, the killings won't stop until we change the WHY of mass killing. All you want to do is somehow ban the HOW. BTW, you know that gun control is getting to be the third rail of politics, don't you?

[LWolf]

107. Schools do not pump kids full of meds.

Doctors prescribe meds, and parents take meds to school to have office personnel dispense.

No school can make a parent medicate their child, no school can prescribe medication, and no school can give medication that a parent hasn't provided with instructions for administering.

[w8liftinglady]

27. oh,dear god-Our kids have no outlet short of the church

[zanne]

37. Aside from loose guns, I think televsion shows and video games egg them on.

Janet Jackson can't show a bare breast on television, but we can watch somebody's head being blown off in prime time and it's "awesome". As far as video games are concerned, the more violent, the better as far as some kids are concerned. Where the hell are the parents when it comes to Violent Content?

[CTyankee]

89. Great point, zanne! I also wonder why kids in this country think of shooting people in school

in the first place? I mean, I never hear about Italian kids or French kids or Swedish kids threatening to "get a gun and start shooting in school." Maybe that's because they don't...

[Wcross]

30. "He has ADD and is currently on medication"........

So were all the other school shooters. Go figure.

[Pavulon]

41. So are many others

broad attempts at correlation between ADD and crime do not add up.

Half the guys who wrote the OS you are using were probably ADD.

[Wcross]

45. Never said it was the ADD that caused these children to kill.

I am kind of thinking it's the overuse of physciatric drugs. Rather than finding a better way to teach these kids they are doped up in order to control them.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

65. To control them????

Since most ADD medications are in fact stimulants; medicating kids, who do not have ADD, with stimulants would result in teachers being less likely to control them. Stimulant based ADHD meds like Adderal and Ritalin, by somewhat different means, increase the levels of dopamine in the brain they also effect the other neurotransmitters to some degree. It is thought the decreased levels of dopamine in the brain is the likely cause of ADHD. I use the words thought and likely because we don't know jack about the brain and how it truly functions. The kids I have worked with who truly have ADHD are helped tremendously by these drugs. The kids with other behavioral issues aren't. ADHD like many psychiatric disorders has types and degrees and can be difficult to diagnose. There are lots of issues going on here, I hope my comments have helped shed some light on one aspect of it. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

David

[Wcross]

71. No, I am not buying the benefits.

Sorry, the majority of mass shooters are on mind altering drugs. You admit "we don't know jack about the brain". Drugging should be a last resort. My sister is a teacher in Michigan & 1/3 of her students are on "medication". They are not on medication for any other reason than to calm them down & control them.

[spoony]

96. except most of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shooting

Read. Learn. Cease rubbish posting.

[Wcross]

100. Your link fails to prove your point.

Can you link me to a sight that disproves my statement or is a general wiki link that describes what school shootings are the best you can do?

[spoony]

102. It's a detailed list, read the accounts of the individual shootings

I looked at about a half dozen accounts and so far none says they were on medication. The onus here is on you. In other words, do your own homework.

[slackmaster]

34. I'd inform the school that my child's continuing attendance is contingent

On them getting that troubled child the heck out of there.

[halobeam]

38. there are so many different opinions on this thread

that's why I love DU so much. I appreciate your directness. I am truly torn. My gut wants to say that, and my mind weighs all the other aspects taken into account in this situation.

I have some serious thinking to do. I do feel I may be responsible to tell the school about our finding this child such horrific weather, alone and cold; whether I want to or not, it very well may be my responsibility to tell them.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

42. "What's for lunch tomorrow?"

As Bill Cosby said, kids say the stupidest things.

[halobeam]

44. I'm not sure of your point.

Is it as simple as the kids just said something stupid?

If that's your point, of course there is that possibility.

There is also the possibility that this kid is screaming out for help, he's teased like there's no tomorrow by the student's (which I just learned more about this a few minutes ago.)

Add the fact, I have no clue whether he can get his hands on a gun.

Which side would you rather error on?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

46. The side that he just said something stupid.

Like all kids do.

[halobeam]

48. Okay, then would you mind my asking you a few questions?

If you found this kid in brutal weather conditions, outside and alone and didn't say anything to the school, it could be that others too, may have seen things that they didn't say anything about too. Additionally, you know this child is teased beyond what's acceptable by other children. Additionally you know this child is on medication, yet you don't know if it was recently changed, if the scheduled doses were adhered to, etc.

Then let's say this kid does something terrible, like some kids do.

How would you feel, honestly, would you not feel you bore some responsibility in keeping quiet? This is weighing on ME. What if the school suspected a problem at home but no one came forward? What if you could've given the school information they needed, in order to have helped this child for his own safety and for the safety of others, and didn't?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

51. Let's say, for the sake of argument...

That he gets turned in for "making threats" when he doesn't mean it, gets treated like some sort of pariah, gets expelled, gets sent to "juvie," never finishes school, and his life gets ruined because somebody overreacted?

[halobeam]

54. that's also true.

It's morning now, and I believe once we have answers to what exactly happened from the prinicpal herself, rather than from the kids, we'll know (hopefully) a little more. I do think however, my letting the school be aware of the situation we, ourselves, saw with this child is our responsibility. It wouldn't cause this child to be expelled, but at least would give the school more info than they would otherwise have.

thanks for your input, very much appreciated.

[Wcross]

49. Are you worried about hurting somebodies feelings? Damn!

Better to be hated by a kid for "ratting him out" than to do nothing & be haunted by dead children.

[halobeam]

52. No.

If it sounded that way, that is not what I meant. I was responding by saying I'd rather error on the side of caution and say something, rather than not.

[Fire Walk With Me]

50. Who says playing "Grand Theft Auto" doesn't teach problem-solving skills?

:sarcasm:

[Occulus]

60. I mean, everyone KNOWS GTA is JUST LIKE real life.

:sarcasm:

[Fire Walk With Me]

68. You don't get the semi-sarcasm of my post?

[Occulus]

77. But of course. I was merely adding to it.

You know, it's the anti-gaming "all violent games are baaaad" that makes me want to design the bloodiest, goriest, most gib-filled game ever. I'm being outdone. Valve is making a zombie game called Left for Dead that makes the complaints about Doom seem rather... milquetoast.

I can't wait to see what the religious reich has to say about Spore. It's intelligent design! It's evolution! It's Intelligent Evolution! :D

I'm currently playing Half Life 2: Episode 2, Unreal Tournament 3, and the best-looking shooter ever, Crysis (but... I need a new PC for that last one, so it's been a while since I ran the thing). I'd be playing more but I'm also trying to learn Blender, which I used to create and render the new DUzy Award graphic. That's cutting down on my gaming some. I haven't even had a chance to install the Call of Duty 4 demo yet; I won't buy any more next-gen DX10 games until I have a system capable of running the graphics cardS in SLI mode.

Get Bioshock. It's awesome.

By the way, have you seen the Zero Punctuation video reviews at The Escapist online magazine? Our own DU gaming forum has links to a couple of his reviews; they're all really very funny.

[LWolf]

55. I wouldn't call. I would show up.

Or call ahead to make sure the principle is on campus. Schools are a busy place; I'd tell the office that you know it's sudden, but it really is an emergency that needs to be addressed right now. Don't tell them what it is about unless it looks like there will be a delay. If so, let them know that you have been told about a potential school shooting. That ought to move them quickly enough. I would ask to meet with the principle, and I'd sit down and tell him or her exactly what you just told us.

The school will not tell you anything at all about the child in question. It would be illegal for them to discuss him with you. There's no point in asking them questions about the situation.

You can, though, say something like this: "My son is nervous about being in school today. What will you be doing to guarantee the safety of the students?"

It might actually be an option to keep your son home for one day while it's dealt with. The last thing you want is for your son to tell any of his peers about it, and if you're presence in the office is noted, you'd better believe that the kids will be asking him questions, putting him on the spot.

All such comments should be taken seriously, whether or not you think it's a real threat, or just frustration speaking.

[proud2BlibKansan]

74. It's a law in my state that schools have to inform parents when kids make threats like this

But even if it isn't a law, I think it's a good idea. Hopefully this school will send a letter out to the parents to let them know what happened and that it has been dealt with.

[LWolf]

80. I assume the law is for general information to go out,

that a threat was made, not the particulars, like who was involved. We do that, too. There have been several bomb threats at the new middle school that opened 2 years ago. None of them were credible; all turned out to be pranks by middle school students who knew that a threat would shut the school down for a time, but they are all reported to the public and acted upon as a credible threat.

I'm in a semi-rural area; truly rural a decade ago, with rapid growth beginning to change the demographics. Most of my students have guns in their homes and know how to use them. A constantly recycled argument is whether or not to simply close school the first week of deer season in the fall and give them an extra summer week to make up for it.

[aikoaiko]

56. I would go to the school and ask questions, but you probably have leverage if you're not satisfied

I would tell them about what your child said and if they can't satisfy you that your child is safe then I would tell them you need to contact the police.

[halobeam]

57. On our way to the school now...

will update when we return.

Thanks everyone.

[halobeam]

58. UPDATE

The school was actually more informative than I thought they'd be. They didn't give us information they weren't allowed to, but probably stretched as far as they could, since we know the child personally.

They told us what steps they took and indicated there are inside as well as outside agencies involved in this child's life. I felt the comfort level the school had, regarding the security of the children in school, was justified.

I brought up the fact about bullying that is going on in the school, directly related this instance, demands their action. They have also seen the other children involved, contacted their parents as well as have given consequences to their participation. This child is a victim in this regard; I urged the school to address all the children in the school, of the effects of bullying. I strongly suggested they make the rounds again or call an additional assembly for this particular issue (bullying), as an addition to their yearly assembly on this topic. There is going to be a meeting within this hour, in which they will discuss this. They will be contacting us with the results from that meeting.

One thing that really disturbed me was that there was a change in law. I don't know if this is a state law or a federal law.

The school is no longer allowed to contact services when someone comes forward with information regarding a child's welfare, unless it comes from the child directly. Therefore, the responsibility falls on the witness (us, in this instance) to decide whether or not to directly contact an agency. I expressed to them that I regard this new law as serving in the best interests of the agency and the school (less work for them) and not the child's and/or those around them. For all anyone knows, the school could have received five different reports from families that are aware of a single situation each, they can not tell the person if there were other reports; leaving the witness to decide (without the knowledge if this is the only instance or if there are a number of them.) This I feel, can make the decision to pick up the phone that much harder, or easier... depending on how you look at it.

[bdamomma]

62. bring the whole situation to the Superintendent.

[halobeam]

63. you think so, even after my meeting with the school today?

If so, why? Just wondering if I'm missing something here.

[bdamomma]

67. well if your satisfied with your answers from the school

it is your choice, plus if you did call the Superintendent they would probably say did you inform the Principal at the school. You have to go through the appropriate needless red tape.

[krispos42]

66. The "glory" of the school shooting...

is a recent and very disturbing trend in our country, and I fear it will take a generation or two to fade. At least.

If it's any consultation, K-12 homicides on school grounds are very rare.



http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/iscs06.pdf


I see you live in New York State. This would be an excellent time to ask the school to remind the other child's parents about firearm safe-storage laws.

Unfortunately, New York State laws regarding firearms are very verbose. I believe between the state laws and city laws (NYC's alone are a nightmare) there are over 40,000 words in the laws. But here's a link to the laws.

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/statelaws/26thedition/newyork.pdf


I would also ask the school to tell the parents that until this situation is resolved, now would be an excellent time properly lock up or to disable any guns the parents may own. This can be done by removing and locking up (or having a friend or neighbor hold) such components as bolts, slides, trigger groups, and cylinders. One company, GunVault, even make small gun safes that read finger prints.

[halobeam]

69. thank you for your insight.

When the school gets back to me, I will definitely ask them to remind the child's parents as well as all other parents in firearm safe-storage laws.

I will be attending the assembly tomorrow at our school "Rachel's challenge"..what timing. I wonder if there is a question and answer period where I may be to finesse a question on their opinion on whether it would be effective for the school to take part in sending out reminders and updates to the community parents regarding firearm safe-storage laws.

[pengillian101]

75. Good grief.........

"When the school gets back to me, I will definitely ask them to remind the child's parents as well as all other parents in firearm safe-storage laws.

I will be attending the assembly tomorrow at our school "Rachel's challenge"..what timing. I wonder if there is a question and answer period where I may be to finesse a question on their opinion on whether it would be effective for the school to take part in sending out reminders and updates to the community parents regarding firearm safe-storage laws."

****************

So what is it? Dangerous situation or not? You posted it here and wanted feedback. You received feedback. What was the outcome?

[halobeam]

90. good grief, back at ya....

I updated this almost 10 hours earlier than you posted your post, telling the outcome. If there's a specific question that you have that I missed in my update, please say so and I'll answer it if I can.

[pengillian101]

93. Oops, I missed the update.

I'm not familiar with seeing replies--while viewing the thread later--yet.

:blush:

[halobeam]

95. that's okay

we all have done that I'm sure. I was concerned that I missed something crucial in my update.

:pals:

[pengillian101]

97. Thanks.

My best to you and your family.

Pardon my not following a DU thread. I don't get it. Nothing is in sequence.

It is for the first few posts. Then when I return later - other folks post in-between. It is very confusing to me.

Someone posted that this is changing (via Skinner's post.)

[milord]

72. shoulda, woulda, coulda,...bang!

Don't fuck around. Call the cops on this. Don't wait.

[Hoof Hearted]

78. Call the police first, and then the school.

[lonestarnot]

82. Yeah call em! Hurry! OMG hoof hearted is right.

:eyes:

[murielm99]

79. Something similar happened to our family.

It happened sixteen years ago, before all the school shootings, and before people carried cell phones. We live in a small rural district too, with few resources.

There was a very troubled boy in my children's middle school. He was ten years old and in fifth grade. He and a friend cut school one day and stole a van. They were apprehended for erratic driving. A few weeks later, he stabbed a classmate with a pencil, narrowly missing her eye. He was in and out of in-school suspension for his various misdeeds, and under house arrest when he was not in school.

He rode my children's bus. I was driving them home from play practice in the evening when they told me that the boy had bragged that he was going to bring a gun to school the next day and shoot everyone. I nearly drove into the ditch. When I asked them why they had not told me earlier, they said they did not know whether or not he meant it. Given his history, I took it seriously.

I called the school principal. His wife told me that he, all the other administrators and the entire school board were in Springfield for a conference. They would not be back until late. I asked her to have him call me no matter how late it was. On the off chance that someone had stayed behind, I tried to call all the other administrators and school board members. No one was home.

The more I thought about it, the more worried I became. I called a friend of mine. She was a library aide at school, and she worked part-time for me at the public library, too. She told me I was not crazy to be worried. She called the boy's teacher at home. The teacher took it seriously as well.

My husband went to the bus driver's home and warned her not to let that kid on the bus with any suspicious items. That was all we could do.

The school principal called me at about 11:00 p.m. He told me that the boy would not be permitted to board the school bus or to come to school the next day, and that the situation was being "handled." I requested that if he and his colleagues were going to attend any future conferences, that they leave one person behind to attend to emergencies.

I called the school the next day to check in with the principal. He did not hesitate to tell me what was being done. He told me that the boy's family thought everyone was overreacting. They said that they owned no guns.

I called the school again a couple of weeks later. I asked the superintendent and the principal to review their policies about how they handled anything to do with firearms. I reiterated my concern that no one was available to handle this emergency, and suggested that they think about this for future emergencies. I am glad that I acted on this, even though nothing further came from the scare.

I think you have every right to ask for as much information as possible. Stress that you are concerned for your child's safety, and for the safety of everyone at school. Certainly the needs of one troubled child should not be placed above the needs and safety of everyone else. Your kids are there to get an education. That should be the first priority of any school.

[lonestarnot]

84. OP didn't mention any of these escalated behaviors! Fuck! The kid

only made a fucking statement. I gotta get off of this thread! adios!

[lonestarnot]

81. Oh that's sure what you want to do call the fucking police!

:sarcasm:

[Outraged As Usual]

85. Ridiculous reactions

The kid is suspended for WHAT? No one knows. This is silly to the max. The OP says " We don't know if he has a gun"...as if that has any bearing on reality. What fear mongering nonsense!! Just because a kid with ADHD gets suspended, does that mean we all go crazy and call cop's and get all in a tizzy? NO. It should not. Why not WALK over to the kids house and ask the parents why the kid was suspended, and tell them that you want to make sure that no crazy RUMORS get started.

I am sure that there is a reasonable explanation for the suspension, and even mentioning a gun was totally out of line. It is paranoia on steroids. Are we to call the cop's every time a ' maybe ' or some rumor gets floated? Kids get suspended for all kinds of reasons, and to imagine all this nonsense is just ludicrous.

Making a mountain out of a molehill. If the kid had made any real threats or represented a threat in any way, there would be steps taken to deal with it. My son is 13 and has Aspergers, ADHD, ODD, PDD, Bi-Polar, etc. and takes several heavy meds a day. He gets suspended quite often, at times only a day or two, sometimes for a week, so he can chill during his really difficult periods.He can say things that sound bad, but has never been violent or acted out any aggressive behaviors..he is suspicious and when people seem to look at him longer than a glance, he often will challenge that person..but never does he get carried away.

A kid with only ADHD who gets suspended for a few days might be having a reaction to meds and need some time off...that is between the parents and the school, and the nervous nellies who imagine a gun in every scenario without cause should take a deep breath and see the facts: The OP's original post has so few details, and gets filled in with so many assumptions and imaginings that it turns silly when guns are mentioned and people are calling cop's about some kid on meds who has done NOTHING but get a short suspension. People should mind their own business more.

If I got a visit from some cop who said that some parent at my son's school was worried, I would tell him to take the worry wart a box of his left over donuts ( or some Valiums)and pass along the message that she should worry about her own family and quit fantasizing about the reason behind every kids suspensions. It is an insult to think that personal medical info should be shared to placate some fearful people with baseless imaginings.

" Gee, I wonder if he has a machine gun...or anthrax..or a mace with spikes.." Anytime that paranoids start wondering, someone else ends up losing rights..as if wondering and imagining are worth anything...they are NOT.

[lonestarnot]

87. Welcome to DU

:P

[halobeam]

91. perfect response!

It can get crazy in here..


:rofl:

[pengillian101]

98. See what I mean?

There is no bottom to a thread. And how do you keep track of the middle posts - unless they are directed to you - so you can see them as responses to you own posts?

Oh, wait, maybe I have to donate to DU before this makes sense where everything is visible to all folks, including me.

Aack.

[halobeam]

104. if I understand you correctly

I think you just need to go to 'My DU' up top, click and you can access your posts and see replies from there.

Hope that helps.

[pengillian101]

106. Laws, yes - that spells MOON

I think you just need to go to 'My DU' up top, click and you can access your posts and see replies from there.

Hope that helps.

<B>That helps a lot! I still miss other mid-thread posts. Oh well.

Thanks!</b>

("Laws, yes - that spells MOON" is from a Stephen King book/movie character) in "The Stand".

[halobeam]

92. I second that welcome!

:hi:

[RiverStone]

101. Any death threat at in our public schools would result in an immediate...

...suspension pending a hearing with the principal and probably Supt.

Then if there is ANY chance other students could be in danger, the student would be mandated to have a mental health evaluation and/or be expelled if the safety of others could not be assured.

You gotta take this stuff very seriously.

Sad for the kid, but the needs of the many out weigh the needs of the one (I think Spock said that).

[BlooInBloo]

103. Quite obviously the kid needs to be put in jail for the rest of his natural life.

[gulliver]

105. The ones that spout off about it are probably not the ones to worry about.

You have to worry about all the other kids.

Seriously, this "I'm gonna shoot everybody" thing is just the new version of "damn." All the kids think it is the ultimate in going nuts, so they jump to it when they feel put upon. This happens when schools are run by uninspired people who are underpaid and given no respect by society. Welcome to the anti-socialism of Republicanism. They'll spend gouts of money on futile wars. They'll let business run rampant over humanity. But the schools? They get the absolute spreadsheet minimum.