Kid threatened to shoot someone at school

It’s not okay! I am an elementary school principal, and I would want to know this information. First every comment involving guns is taken seriously, investigated, and the put through a threat assessment process to deem whether it is a viable threat where the motive and opportunity exists for the threat to be carried out. If student made a threat that was deemed to be credible it would move to a level 2 where police and community members are required to step in and serious discipline is imposed and behavior plans are designed and implemented. If not viable, then there are levels of progressive discipline that are immediately carried out. In the investigation process, the parents of the student who made the comment are contacted. Then depending on how many students were impacted by the comment, those students parents are called so that they are aware and can talk it over with their child. Never and I repeat Never would any names be shared in any of these conversations. It is a violation of Ferpa rights. I have had instances where there is conflict between kids and some parents assume that the other child/parents are the ones who instigated/initiated the complaint. If this happens I will review the law and make it clear that I cannot share any information with them and it would be inappropriate for them to assume.
In your situation, it is important for you to communicate with the principal. The more professional you can be, the greater the chances of it being received. I would go in with a solution focused approach to accept nothing less than a commitment to establish/maintain a safe environment. I would let them know that you made a report about an inappropriate comment involving a potential threat to the school community. You did this with the trust and assumption of the law that you would be protected and remain anonymous. (Our district has a anonymous tip line for this very reason) While you have no idea how your name was shared or whether it was an assumption on the part of the other party, that it was inappropriate and a violation of your rights. You should not have been contacted. If it were me I would asked that for the safety of the school community that the principal review this matter and establish clear guidelines for staff on how this will be handled moving forward. If they do not respond appropriately then you have the right to go to the superintendent and/or the school board. Young students are unfortunately being exposed to this more and more. Even if it was an unfortunate comment spoken out of foolishness or ignorance it cannot go unaddressed. These comments cannot exist in the school environment, for it does not promote a sense of safety and security…physically or emotionally. Not in this day and age where there are known instances where kindergarten aged children have showed up with a weapon and injured a teacher. Just my two cents. I need parents to partner with me in this because it takes a commitment from all parties to create/maintain a safe environment. Good luck.

 

Couldn’t agree more. See something say something only exists in an environment of trust. Mistrust equals missed opportunities. Missed opportunities lead to imminent failure.