DEAL MIDDLE SCHOOL: Report of firearm at school but no gun found

[Anonymous]

Concerned Parent: Just had a conversation with my son about a student who was alleged to have been arrested two days ago about bringing a firearm to Deal.

Is this true?

If so, why is there nothing about it being detailed in Principal Neal's messaging?

[ Edit by Admin: Changed title of thread to be more consistent with subsequent information. ]

[Anonymous]

We got an email yesterday.

[Anonymous]

Scary!

[Anonymous]

Your student’s story does not match that of Ms. Neal’s.

[Anonymous]

Dear Deal Middle School Parents and Families,

It is our commitment at Deal Middle School to ensure our school environment is safe for students and conducive to teaching and learning. Being a strong family and community partner means we have a commitment to providing timely communication addressing concerns as the administration becomes aware of them.

This morning, school administration was alerted that a possible weapon was suspected to be on our premises. We take reports of this nature extremely seriously and DCPS School Security immediately notified the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who arrived quickly to investigate. MPD conducted a search, and they were unable to locate any weapon or confirm the allegation, at which time they took a miscellaneous report and departed our building.

Please be assured that no one was harmed, and we followed all safety and reporting protocols as we investigated this possible threat. The safety of our students and staff will always be my top priority. If you have any questions, please contact the school office at [phone] or via email at [e-mail]
In partnership,


Diedre Neal

[Anonymous]

Very scary .DCPS need to put more attention in many issues.

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader and 6th grader say OP is not telling the truth. No one was arrested. The rumor amongst the kids is that a 6th grader was attention-seeking and claimed to have a weapon. There was no weapon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 8th grader and 6th grader say OP is not telling the truth. No one was arrested. The rumor amongst the kids is that a 6th grader was attention-seeking and claimed to have a weapon. There was no weapon.

I believe that is stated in the letter from the principal and the change in the thread title.

[Anonymous]

How times change.

When I was in my (wealthy international) high school, one of the boys is my grade brought a gun to school, with a separate bullet, in his backpack, and showed it off in study hall when the proctor wasn't there (proctors were hardly ever there).

Most of us scolded him like a little boy, and told him to put it away. Some boys passed the gun around, but it ended there. None of us, in those benighted times, thought to tell any adult. It didn't feel like a crisis situation.

[Anonymous]

Sorry…uh for you guys who are scared…what are you scared of, exactly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 8th grader and 6th grader say OP is not telling the truth. No one was arrested. The rumor amongst the kids is that a 6th grader was attention-seeking and claimed to have a weapon. There was no weapon.

7th grader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How times change.

When I was in my (wealthy international) high school, one of the boys is my grade brought a gun to school, with a separate bullet, in his backpack, and showed it off in study hall when the proctor wasn't there (proctors were hardly ever there).

Most of us scolded him like a little boy, and told him to put it away. Some boys passed the gun around, but it ended there. None of us, in those benighted times, thought to tell any adult. It didn't feel like a crisis situation.

I can’t tell if you’re scolding people for not wanting guns in schools or not. I am confused about the point of your anecdote

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Very scary .DCPS need to put more attention in many issues.

Oh Lord...that's why they have lovely metal detectors - they are paying attention. And you know what - DCPS has much bigger issues to deal with right now. Lack of quality teachers, lack of subs because teachers have to stay home with their kids who are quarantining. Kids who are not learning because of these issues on top of the year and half of virtual learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Very scary .DCPS need to put more attention in many issues.

Oh Lord...that's why they have lovely metal detectors - they are paying attention. And you know what - DCPS has much bigger issues to deal with right now. Lack of quality teachers, lack of subs because teachers have to stay home with their kids who are quarantining. Kids who are not learning because of these issues on top of the year and half of virtual learning.

But also like…what does PP want them to do? There wasn’t a gun. Nothing happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Very scary .DCPS need to put more attention in many issues.

I'm sorry, but how is this "scary?" It was a rumored that was unfounded.