Worries you to death to send your child to school anymore. You hear about it on the news. Last year we had one pretty close to here. Today it was at my boys school. No one was hurt, and he was caught. But the thing that really bothers me, I didn't know nothing of it until I got home from work. My neighbor heard it on the radio. The school was not put on lock down. Although nothing happened (THANK GOD), still doesn't make one feel any better about the situation. I wish I would have known about it.
My boys don't want to return to school. I told them both, look. I know it has kind of freaked you out. Its just the way things are now. You don't know who's packing and who's not. You may go into Walmart, a resturant, even church and sit next to someone that has a gun. If its your time to go, no matter where you are at....If God has chosen you to come home, then its just your time. You can't live scared to go out of your house. I wish it was the way it was when I was in school, but its not. Your school will be extra cautious now that something has happened like this, try not to worry about it and go on. I know its going to stay in your mind, but the more you think about it the more scared you will be.
The news said parents were not notified because there was no danger. WHAT??? a gun is not dangerous. It was a 22 caliper, loaded. Any gun can be dangerous.
Here is what the school sent home
Simply sent a letter home that says:
December 2, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians:
This letter is to inform you of an incident that occurred at our school today. I want to make sure that you have accurate information and dispel any rumors you may hear about the incident.
Just before 9am several students reported to staff that a student may be in possession of a weapon. Staff immediately apprehended the youngster. He refused to cooperate and ran off campus with our School Resource Officer following him. Our SRO and Louisille Metro Police arrested the student approximately a 1/2 mile from the school. They did confiscate a weapon. We take this matter very very serious, and we approach safety issues as a top priority and deal with them immediately. The student is being dealt with according to JCPS board policy and the law.
I want to assure you that no threat was made at any time to students or staff. Our school was fully secured with all exterior doors locked as is our normal operations. As a parent, I know I would want to know any facts about such an issue. We believe in keeping parents and students informed so there are no rumors and everyone has access to the same information.
It is a shame that one student can make a very poor decision that may affect them for life and might even reflect on 1,000 great students at Valley. If there is good news about such an event, it's that it was students who reported the situation and our staff who did a fantastic job of addressing the issue and following up on the intian report immediately. We often speak of safety issues and our students are great partners with us. I want to assure you that we will continue to speak to your son or daughter about school safety and want to encourage you to continue to do so as well.
Sincerely,
Gary Hurt, Principal