Scary Moments in School
Yesterday I received an e-mail from our principal that an unloaded gun was discovered in an eighth-grader’s gym locker. At first, the news didn’t really register. I had taught this particular student, and all I could think was–He made a poor choice, probably trying to impress his friends.
Then later, I learned that he had also brought an ammunition clip. Funny how that small detail changes everything.
We live in a safe neighborhood, and our school is one of the safest in the community. We’ve never had an incident like this in the nine years I’ve taught there. What makes it worse is that I know the kid. I remember him struggling in school, but he always had a smile and was good-natured. He had a tough childhood, but he was living with his grandparents. More than anything, he seemed lost.
The same day he brought the gun, his grandfather passed away. Now his life is unraveling in front of him, and I worry about him. It’s funny how I wasn’t at all concerned about the gun and him harming anyone, but more–why did he bring it? Was he trying to get help in a strange way? And I have a feeling, he’s the sort of person who would be more likely to use the gun on himself than anyone else.
I know many parents were outraged, scared for their children. I don’t blame them a bit. But it makes me wonder how this event will change our school.
What about you? When you were growing up, did you ever have an incident like this in your school? Or do you see it now in your children’s schools?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 8:11 am | Viewed 916 times
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
To my knowledge, we never had anything like that happen in my school, when I was growing up.
Kelly Says:
We never had instances like that when i was in school. But my brother is a teacher at one of the worst schools in the city. They hired him because they needed someone with ‘inner city school’ experience. We call the area the school covers is called Highfield, but we call it Crime Filled Park. There’s always a part of me that worries something will happen there and he’ll get caught in the crossfire.
Peggy Says:
No, thank God. My daughter’s high school last week was surrounded by police because some stupid teenagers were shooting off fireworks and someone thought it was gunfire. They have drug raids all the time, with dogs and everything, and I think that seems severe. We never had anything like that when I was in HS. But students are changing. It’s a scary world to grow up in now if you’re a teenager. Just the other day my daughter came home from work upset because she heard one of her male friend’s tried to commit suicide. So sad that they must resort to violence to ease their troubles.
Melissa Says:
Oh Michelle, how scary and how very, very sad. I hope the boy gets the help that he needs and that this mistake doesn’t ruin his future.
We never had anything like this - I went to a school in a town of 1,600 - I had 30 people in my class. But I guess a few weeks ago, someone called in a bomb threat. That really surprised me. I guess it doesn’t matter where you go - things have changed. It’s a lot more complicated than when I was in school.
Rene Says:
The high school I went to as a freshman had a gang problem. I remember being hustled on the bus on certain afternoons because their was a rumor that there was going to be a gang confrontation after school. The high school I went to after that had a major drug bust. There were news cameras and the whole works…I read about in the paper, I was so clueless. In my town, the high school has had a drug problem this year. Last year with the knowledge of the superintendent, a 24 year old guy masqueraded as a high school student, interacting with the kids, buying them alcohol. A couple of parents said the high school has also had a problem with teachers hitting on students. Thank goodness we’re still at the elementary level. It is a very mellow school.
kacey Says:
scary Stuff.
At my son’s school they are going through a rash of fires being started. I’m not amused. Last one someone had an asthma attack from all the smoke and they had to go to the hospital. The school only opens the bathrooms (only opens 2 of them for a school of like 3000!! kids)between classes with a teacher in there full time.
And it’s winter here. The kids, obviously, get sent outside in the freezing cold while the fire department comes and puts it out. Lots of them without their coats…which are in their lockers.
beth Says:
I don’t remember anything - do you? I was kind of oblivious that sort of stuff in HS though.
I did have the “fun” experience when I was teaching at a community college of having a student wave a gun at me and make threats if he didn’t get a passing grade. Thankfully he did this in front of 2 school security guards who took care of the situation very quickly and with minimal fuss.
I hope your student gets the help he’s looking for.
Tori Lennox Says:
When I was in high school, the worst thing I ever heard about was a junior or senior (I forget which) hitting a teacher :confused2: over the head with a Coke bottle. Luckily, it didn’t hurt him much. Oh, and two guys got in a fight and one got thrown through a window. That was on my first day there and my parents were really freaked out because I’d been in private school up until then.
Stacy Says:
(((Michelle))) what an awful thing to have to go through and I don’t just mean the fear but finding a child in so much need.
Amy K. Says:
Ack, very scary. Glad it was discovered before anything horrible happened.
When I was a senior in highschool, one student took a machete to another student in the middle of a classroom. I wasn’t in that classroom but it was chilling anyway. But a gun still seems so much scarier.
Melissa Mc Says:
Hugs, Michelle. It’s amazing how things have changed over the years. I remember a kid brought a knife once, but that was it.
Mary Says:
I think this is very scary! Ouch, that’s why I quit teaching in public schools.
LauraP Says:
I went to a rural high school. Occasionally the morning announcements included a reminder to lock your pickup if you forgot to take the hunting rifle out of the gun rack in the back window before driving to school.
It was a different world. We left the city the year after metal detectors were installed in the high school my kids would have attended. The guns and knives that still turned up weren’t the primary reason we left, but they definitely weighted the scales in that decision.
Crystal* Says:
This scares the hell out of me.
I don’t remember kids bringing guns to school to harm others. I do recall a few kids who committed suicide.
Nowadays…at the kid’s school it’s PREGNANCY!
:confused2:
I hope this child gets the help he needs.
Crystal*
MaryF Says:
Michelle, how scary! And heartbreaking. I worry about my students so much, because they don’t always have what they need at home.
Crystal, my first year teaching, I taught 5th grade. The following year, THREE of the girls in my class ended up pregnant. In the 6th grade.