handgun at Jackson-Reed

Anonymous
June 5, 2025

Dear Parents and Families of Jackson-Reed High School,

At Jackson-Reed, we are committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for all students. Communicating home about critical incidents during the school day is important to maintaining strong partnerships with families.

This morning, school administration was notified that a handgun was detected in a student’s belongings during weapons abatement procedures. Per the district’s security and emergency protocols, we immediately contacted the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and DC Public Schools (DCPS) Police, who arrived quickly to confiscate the weapon and launch their investigative proceedings.

Please be assured that no one was harmed, and the weapon did not make it past our abatement equipment and security officers. The matter was handled promptly and in accordance with our security procedures. All students and staff remained safe and secure during this time, and there is no disruption to the school day. We will cooperate fully with MPD and follow disciplinary actions in accordance with Chapter 25 of the DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR) as applicable.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the impact that hearing about this incident could have on our scholars. In addition to supporting the involved student and their family, Jackson-Reed’s dedicated wellness team, comprising two school psychologists, five social workers, ten school counselors, and a network of community-based organizations, is available to students who need a safe space to talk. Please reach out if we can connect your student with a trusted adult.

The safety of our students is paramount. If you have any questions, please call our school office at (202) 282-0120 or email me at sah.brown@k12.dc.gov.

Sincerely,

Sah Brown

Principal, Jackson-Reed High School
Anonymous
I swear I’m triggered by that stupid boilerplate opening sentence. Is it head lice? Or is it a loaded weapon? Read on to find out!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I swear I’m triggered by that stupid boilerplate opening sentence. Is it head lice? Or is it a loaded weapon? Read on to find out!


Please shut up!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I swear I’m triggered by that stupid boilerplate opening sentence. Is it head lice? Or is it a loaded weapon? Read on to find out!


I'm with you. These stupid template emails thst DCPS forces everyone to use are just like the terribly worded assignments coming from the Cornerstones office.

You don't need to tell us the philosophy behind the email before you give us tge content -- just do it!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I swear I’m triggered by that stupid boilerplate opening sentence. Is it head lice? Or is it a loaded weapon? Read on to find out!


Please shut up!


I will once you take out that stupid paragraph from your form letters - many of which go on to say things that directly contradict it.
Anonymous
Was it loaded? Did the student have ammo? What was the explanation?

I am glad they caught it (though I hate that they need the metal detectors!) and I am glad it was just a handgun and not a semi-auto rifle.
Anonymous
Sounds like chat gpt wrote it.
Anonymous
What are J-R's "weapon abatement" methods, out if curiosity (at a J-R feed). Metal detectors? Bag scans? Alert dogs?

It seems idiotic for a kid to bring a gun into a school with any of the above. But it also seems idiotic for a kid to have a gun at all, so what do I know.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What are J-R's "weapon abatement" methods, out if curiosity (at a J-R feed). Metal detectors? Bag scans? Alert dogs?

It seems idiotic for a kid to bring a gun into a school with any of the above. But it also seems idiotic for a kid to have a gun at all, so what do I know.


Not sure about JR, but many DCPS middle and high schools have metal detectors/wands. The way our country is obsessed with guns, I am happy our city has these in place - makes me a lot less nervous about the safety of my kids during the school day compared to friends/family I know with kids in schools across the country.
Anonymous
Second time this year. Or third?
Anonymous
Agree that the stupid boiler plate language is ridiculous. The communication folk at DCPS seem pretty bad
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Second time this year. Or third?


Parent of 9th grader. I think it’s the second time. Then there’s the time the door was left open and a kid from another school came in and beat the crap out of a J-R kid.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I swear I’m triggered by that stupid boilerplate opening sentence. Is it head lice? Or is it a loaded weapon? Read on to find out!


ME TOO. Every time I see it in the little email preview I have to steel myself ... (it would also make me nuts if I were a principal)
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I swear I’m triggered by that stupid boilerplate opening sentence. Is it head lice? Or is it a loaded weapon? Read on to find out!


Please shut up!


NP. You first. I am also a JR parent (second kid going through, in her last two weeks) and I also HATE that thing. Every time I see it is like WTH let's see what the actual problem is this time. At least this time I got it before my kid told me anything. Normally I get a text from my kid "we are on lockdown there's a threat outside apparently" and nothing from the school and I have no idea what is going on.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I swear I’m triggered by that stupid boilerplate opening sentence. Is it head lice? Or is it a loaded weapon? Read on to find out!


Please shut up!


NP. You first. I am also a JR parent (second kid going through, in her last two weeks) and I also HATE that thing. Every time I see it is like WTH let's see what the actual problem is this time. At least this time I got it before my kid told me anything. Normally I get a text from my kid "we are on lockdown there's a threat outside apparently" and nothing from the school and I have no idea what is going on.


Me too - this email had me immediately texting my kid - who had no idea. Really - the tone didn't need to be this. The system worked. And yes, at JR they have metal detectors and multiple security guards at the two entrances kids can come in. They also love to confiscate baked goods.

All the talk about counselors on hand made me think something horrid had happened. DCPS Central unfortunately dictates what the school says and how it is handle.
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