If a classmate threatened your child’s life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What led to the drawing OP? What were the interactions?

According to the principal, there was some jealousy. Child was not selected for an opportunity he wanted.

Previous interactions — unclear. Sounded also like rivalry was involved. Separately from other parents we heard about the frequent anger issues in class and run-ins with the school involving other students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

Not sure what you mean. It has been reported. If you mean police, what would they even do?

Reported where, I didn't see the OP mention reporting it.

I would report first to the principal (not teacher) and the school guidance counselor if they have one. If I didn't get an immediate response that assessments were being done, I'd go to the police.

OP — principal is the one who informed us. Assessment of the child is being done. What is unclear is what happens if the child is allowed to come back after this. What are we supposed to do, watch and wait? It doesn’t feel safe for them to have access to the child who was threatened.

I would get a detailed report from the principal on the actions they are taking. I would also demand (no matter what the assessment shows) that the individual be moved to another class (not your child). Additionally, I would ask for a safety plan that shows how the individual is being monitored by the school until the end of the year. Last, I would want to know exactly how this individual is being kept away from my child during school hours.

This is helpful, thanks. My concern is with how this would be enforced over the years. My child already avoids after school activities if they know that child will be there (this is already happening prior to latest incident).

[Anonymous]

I would seek legal counsel and have attorney contact school. After all the school massacres, I would take no chances that this is not a serious threat. Document everything. Sadly, schools do absolutely nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

Not sure what you mean. It has been reported. If you mean police, what would they even do?

In some parts of the country (like Florida), it’s a felony for a kid to even threaten to use their weapon to kill people. The police will arrest the child and put them in psych care just for the threat.

This should be a federal law because schools do nothing.

It’s not a law in our state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

I think we should all take it down a notch. I agree that OP should go to the school. But many many kids (and this kid is just 10-11) express fantasies like this. There’s a massive difference between normal (albeit undesirable) expressions and serious mental illness + guns that happened in the Crumbley case.

Literally no.

I work in this field and can tell you that this is the age when these signs first manifest themself. Many kids do draw pictures of weapons and fights, but few draw specific pictures targeting one individual. Also, if the child is disruptive or bullying, I would see it as a serious concern.

Having worked with parents of school shooters and violent juveniles, I would be at the school first thing and want a target hardening report done of the school as well as a threat assessment of the child.

Also, what kind of threat assessment? Who would have access to the results?

Depend on the state, a threat assessment is a mental health evaluation done by professionals to see if this is just general kid stuff, expressing anger at something in the home life, or if there is a threat/rish that the child will take action.

Example, FCPS has a threat assessment protocol that they must follow in cases such as these. The folks who would have access are the Childs family and the school. Again, each school district and state is different.

Thanks, I really appreciate this. We are at a private school so I don’t know what protocol, if any, they need to follow. Maybe from the state.

If the assessment clears the child to come back, how reliable is it?

This is a case in which the child is known to have anger outbursts in class over various issues and has had difficulty with other kids. My kid has been singled out (according to their friends and classmates also) over the past year or two. It has been addressed via conversations with teachers and parents. The conversation with parents was recent. The gun and knife were drawn on a school assignment asking children to picture what they wanted to happen in the new year. Child showed it and explained it to other classmates who reported. It is concerning that this happened after the conversation with parents, as it’s unclear how the child will respond to further discipline and isolation.

My heart truly breaks for the child, the teacher, and everyone — it’s not a good situation. At the same time my first job as a parent is to make sure my teacher was safe.

[Anonymous]

My child is safe* sorry for typos

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

I think we should all take it down a notch. I agree that OP should go to the school. But many many kids (and this kid is just 10-11) express fantasies like this. There’s a massive difference between normal (albeit undesirable) expressions and serious mental illness + guns that happened in the Crumbley case.

Literally no.

I work in this field and can tell you that this is the age when these signs first manifest themself. Many kids do draw pictures of weapons and fights, but few draw specific pictures targeting one individual. Also, if the child is disruptive or bullying, I would see it as a serious concern.

Having worked with parents of school shooters and violent juveniles, I would be at the school first thing and want a target hardening report done of the school as well as a threat assessment of the child.

Also, what kind of threat assessment? Who would have access to the results?

Depend on the state, a threat assessment is a mental health evaluation done by professionals to see if this is just general kid stuff, expressing anger at something in the home life, or if there is a threat/rish that the child will take action.

Example, FCPS has a threat assessment protocol that they must follow in cases such as these. The folks who would have access are the Childs family and the school. Again, each school district and state is different.

Thanks, I really appreciate this. We are at a private school so I don’t know what protocol, if any, they need to follow. Maybe from the state.

If the assessment clears the child to come back, how reliable is it?

This is a case in which the child is known to have anger outbursts in class over various issues and has had difficulty with other kids. My kid has been singled out (according to their friends and classmates also) over the past year or two. It has been addressed via conversations with teachers and parents. The conversation with parents was recent. The gun and knife were drawn on a school assignment asking children to picture what they wanted to happen in the new year. Child showed it and explained it to other classmates who reported. It is concerning that this happened after the conversation with parents, as it’s unclear how the child will respond to further discipline and isolation.

My heart truly breaks for the child, the teacher, and everyone — it’s not a good situation. At the same time my first job as a parent is to make sure my teacher was safe.

This is a private school???? And this student has repeatedly had outbursts?

Yeah, I’d be pushing for the removal of this kid. I’d come in with a lawyer saying that the school is not holding up their end of the contract you likely had to sign to attend this school. Hell, I might even let other parents know about this and demand answers.

It’s clear that this student needs help. AND right now your kid (and others) are not feeling safe based on repeated actions by this student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

I think we should all take it down a notch. I agree that OP should go to the school. But many many kids (and this kid is just 10-11) express fantasies like this. There’s a massive difference between normal (albeit undesirable) expressions and serious mental illness + guns that happened in the Crumbley case.

Literally no.

I work in this field and can tell you that this is the age when these signs first manifest themself. Many kids do draw pictures of weapons and fights, but few draw specific pictures targeting one individual. Also, if the child is disruptive or bullying, I would see it as a serious concern.

Having worked with parents of school shooters and violent juveniles, I would be at the school first thing and want a target hardening report done of the school as well as a threat assessment of the child.

Also, what kind of threat assessment? Who would have access to the results?

Depend on the state, a threat assessment is a mental health evaluation done by professionals to see if this is just general kid stuff, expressing anger at something in the home life, or if there is a threat/rish that the child will take action.

Example, FCPS has a threat assessment protocol that they must follow in cases such as these. The folks who would have access are the Childs family and the school. Again, each school district and state is different.

Thanks, I really appreciate this. We are at a private school so I don’t know what protocol, if any, they need to follow. Maybe from the state.

If the assessment clears the child to come back, how reliable is it?

This is a case in which the child is known to have anger outbursts in class over various issues and has had difficulty with other kids. My kid has been singled out (according to their friends and classmates also) over the past year or two. It has been addressed via conversations with teachers and parents. The conversation with parents was recent. The gun and knife were drawn on a school assignment asking children to picture what they wanted to happen in the new year. Child showed it and explained it to other classmates who reported. It is concerning that this happened after the conversation with parents, as it’s unclear how the child will respond to further discipline and isolation.

My heart truly breaks for the child, the teacher, and everyone — it’s not a good situation. At the same time my first job as a parent is to make sure my teacher was safe.

Wait OP is your kid at a private school?

If so remove them already what are you waiting for and involve the police now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

I think we should all take it down a notch. I agree that OP should go to the school. But many many kids (and this kid is just 10-11) express fantasies like this. There’s a massive difference between normal (albeit undesirable) expressions and serious mental illness + guns that happened in the Crumbley case.

Literally no.

I work in this field and can tell you that this is the age when these signs first manifest themself. Many kids do draw pictures of weapons and fights, but few draw specific pictures targeting one individual. Also, if the child is disruptive or bullying, I would see it as a serious concern.

Having worked with parents of school shooters and violent juveniles, I would be at the school first thing and want a target hardening report done of the school as well as a threat assessment of the child.

Also, what kind of threat assessment? Who would have access to the results?

Depend on the state, a threat assessment is a mental health evaluation done by professionals to see if this is just general kid stuff, expressing anger at something in the home life, or if there is a threat/rish that the child will take action.

Example, FCPS has a threat assessment protocol that they must follow in cases such as these. The folks who would have access are the Childs family and the school. Again, each school district and state is different.

Thanks, I really appreciate this. We are at a private school so I don’t know what protocol, if any, they need to follow. Maybe from the state.

If the assessment clears the child to come back, how reliable is it?

This is a case in which the child is known to have anger outbursts in class over various issues and has had difficulty with other kids. My kid has been singled out (according to their friends and classmates also) over the past year or two. It has been addressed via conversations with teachers and parents. The conversation with parents was recent. The gun and knife were drawn on a school assignment asking children to picture what they wanted to happen in the new year. Child showed it and explained it to other classmates who reported. It is concerning that this happened after the conversation with parents, as it’s unclear how the child will respond to further discipline and isolation.

My heart truly breaks for the child, the teacher, and everyone — it’s not a good situation. At the same time my first job as a parent is to make sure my teacher was safe.

This is a private school???? And this student has repeatedly had outbursts?

Yeah, I’d be pushing for the removal of this kid. I’d come in with a lawyer saying that the school is not holding up their end of the contract you likely had to sign to attend this school. Hell, I might even let other parents know about this and demand answers.

It’s clear that this student needs help. AND right now your kid (and others) are not feeling safe based on repeated actions by this student.

!000% this and OP you are a crappy parent for leaving your kid at this school for so long. WTH? Who does this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

I think we should all take it down a notch. I agree that OP should go to the school. But many many kids (and this kid is just 10-11) express fantasies like this. There’s a massive difference between normal (albeit undesirable) expressions and serious mental illness + guns that happened in the Crumbley case.

Literally no.

I work in this field and can tell you that this is the age when these signs first manifest themself. Many kids do draw pictures of weapons and fights, but few draw specific pictures targeting one individual. Also, if the child is disruptive or bullying, I would see it as a serious concern.

Having worked with parents of school shooters and violent juveniles, I would be at the school first thing and want a target hardening report done of the school as well as a threat assessment of the child.

Also, what kind of threat assessment? Who would have access to the results?

Depend on the state, a threat assessment is a mental health evaluation done by professionals to see if this is just general kid stuff, expressing anger at something in the home life, or if there is a threat/rish that the child will take action.

Example, FCPS has a threat assessment protocol that they must follow in cases such as these. The folks who would have access are the Childs family and the school. Again, each school district and state is different.

Thanks, I really appreciate this. We are at a private school so I don’t know what protocol, if any, they need to follow. Maybe from the state.

If the assessment clears the child to come back, how reliable is it?

This is a case in which the child is known to have anger outbursts in class over various issues and has had difficulty with other kids. My kid has been singled out (according to their friends and classmates also) over the past year or two. It has been addressed via conversations with teachers and parents. The conversation with parents was recent. The gun and knife were drawn on a school assignment asking children to picture what they wanted to happen in the new year. Child showed it and explained it to other classmates who reported. It is concerning that this happened after the conversation with parents, as it’s unclear how the child will respond to further discipline and isolation.

My heart truly breaks for the child, the teacher, and everyone — it’s not a good situation. At the same time my first job as a parent is to make sure my teacher was safe.

I'm not as familiar with regulations around private school. It would depend on your state. These assessments can either be really good - or not so good, again, depending on state and what protocol they follow. If you are in Virginia or Maryland, both have strong threat assessment tools for public schools. Again, I don't know what private school uses and I'd ask if they are doing a "mental health" assessment or a "threat assessment" or both.

I'd also download the code of conduct from your private school and see what it allows (how many violent outbursts, any physical altercations). Get familiar and use that as a tool to assist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

I think we should all take it down a notch. I agree that OP should go to the school. But many many kids (and this kid is just 10-11) express fantasies like this. There’s a massive difference between normal (albeit undesirable) expressions and serious mental illness + guns that happened in the Crumbley case.

Literally no.

I work in this field and can tell you that this is the age when these signs first manifest themself. Many kids do draw pictures of weapons and fights, but few draw specific pictures targeting one individual. Also, if the child is disruptive or bullying, I would see it as a serious concern.

Having worked with parents of school shooters and violent juveniles, I would be at the school first thing and want a target hardening report done of the school as well as a threat assessment of the child.

Also, what kind of threat assessment? Who would have access to the results?

Depend on the state, a threat assessment is a mental health evaluation done by professionals to see if this is just general kid stuff, expressing anger at something in the home life, or if there is a threat/rish that the child will take action.

Example, FCPS has a threat assessment protocol that they must follow in cases such as these. The folks who would have access are the Childs family and the school. Again, each school district and state is different.

Thanks, I really appreciate this. We are at a private school so I don’t know what protocol, if any, they need to follow. Maybe from the state.

If the assessment clears the child to come back, how reliable is it?

This is a case in which the child is known to have anger outbursts in class over various issues and has had difficulty with other kids. My kid has been singled out (according to their friends and classmates also) over the past year or two. It has been addressed via conversations with teachers and parents. The conversation with parents was recent. The gun and knife were drawn on a school assignment asking children to picture what they wanted to happen in the new year. Child showed it and explained it to other classmates who reported. It is concerning that this happened after the conversation with parents, as it’s unclear how the child will respond to further discipline and isolation.

My heart truly breaks for the child, the teacher, and everyone — it’s not a good situation. At the same time my first job as a parent is to make sure my teacher was safe.

This is a private school???? And this student has repeatedly had outbursts?

Yeah, I’d be pushing for the removal of this kid. I’d come in with a lawyer saying that the school is not holding up their end of the contract you likely had to sign to attend this school. Hell, I might even let other parents know about this and demand answers.

It’s clear that this student needs help. AND right now your kid (and others) are not feeling safe based on repeated actions by this student.

!000% this and OP you are a crappy parent for leaving your kid at this school for so long. WTH? Who does this?

So what you are saying is the victim should leave the school and his friends?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

I think we should all take it down a notch. I agree that OP should go to the school. But many many kids (and this kid is just 10-11) express fantasies like this. There’s a massive difference between normal (albeit undesirable) expressions and serious mental illness + guns that happened in the Crumbley case.

Literally no.

I work in this field and can tell you that this is the age when these signs first manifest themself. Many kids do draw pictures of weapons and fights, but few draw specific pictures targeting one individual. Also, if the child is disruptive or bullying, I would see it as a serious concern.

Having worked with parents of school shooters and violent juveniles, I would be at the school first thing and want a target hardening report done of the school as well as a threat assessment of the child.

Also, what kind of threat assessment? Who would have access to the results?

Depend on the state, a threat assessment is a mental health evaluation done by professionals to see if this is just general kid stuff, expressing anger at something in the home life, or if there is a threat/rish that the child will take action.

Example, FCPS has a threat assessment protocol that they must follow in cases such as these. The folks who would have access are the Childs family and the school. Again, each school district and state is different.

Thanks, I really appreciate this. We are at a private school so I don’t know what protocol, if any, they need to follow. Maybe from the state.

If the assessment clears the child to come back, how reliable is it?

This is a case in which the child is known to have anger outbursts in class over various issues and has had difficulty with other kids. My kid has been singled out (according to their friends and classmates also) over the past year or two. It has been addressed via conversations with teachers and parents. The conversation with parents was recent. The gun and knife were drawn on a school assignment asking children to picture what they wanted to happen in the new year. Child showed it and explained it to other classmates who reported. It is concerning that this happened after the conversation with parents, as it’s unclear how the child will respond to further discipline and isolation.

My heart truly breaks for the child, the teacher, and everyone — it’s not a good situation. At the same time my first job as a parent is to make sure my teacher was safe.

This is a private school???? And this student has repeatedly had outbursts?

Yeah, I’d be pushing for the removal of this kid. I’d come in with a lawyer saying that the school is not holding up their end of the contract you likely had to sign to attend this school. Hell, I might even let other parents know about this and demand answers.

It’s clear that this student needs help. AND right now your kid (and others) are not feeling safe based on repeated actions by this student.

!000% this and OP you are a crappy parent for leaving your kid at this school for so long. WTH? Who does this?

It started last year. My child went to their teacher and it seemed to improve. Then this year it started again. I spoke with the parents and teachers. It got better again. Now this.

Bullying was verbal comments. Last year was post pandemic and the child’s first year at the school, everyone had a lot going on.

I’m of the mindset that kids can’t be in a bubble and they get confidence from learning how to seek help and address situations. However this is beyond what my child should be expected to cope with and we are aware of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not in a spur of the moment impulse kind of way, but drawing a picture of a gun and telling others they would kill your child. 5th grade. Pattern of verbal bullying prior to incident but this is the first articulated threat. What would you do? How would you expect this to be handled.

OP is this FCPS? FCPS is notoriously terrible at handling these cases, even when a kid is caught physically assaulting another kid multiple times in one day, on camera. You will be up against a brick wall, and the local police may be aware of this, and not be any help, at FCPS' direction. People should know what they are up against here. Call a lawyer, and go into the school with the lawyer.

There are parents who have problem child/ren who are well versed in the system, well versed at keeping their problem child in school - because the parent does not want to deal with them. Point blank.

And yes, Ethan Crumbley is/was one of those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in FCPS, you would report it to the principal. A risk assessment would be completed by a member of the school support team (psychologist, counselor or social worker) with an administrator present because it was a threat to another person (versus a threat to self). There is a protocol with very specific questions to help determine the level of seriousness of the threat. They then follow through with contacting parents, discipline, etc.

Thanks. What happens after this step? Assuming if the independent evaluation comes back clear the student returns to class.

If the student is allowed back, how do they deal with the fallout? Who knows how the student will react to being disciplined. Other students report anger issues in class. These kids are about to go through a time of life when big feelings only get bigger. Would you keep your child at the school for the rest of their education if the other kid was staying?

This is what you care about?

Ethan Crumbley was doing the exact same thing. REPORT IT NOW.

I think we should all take it down a notch. I agree that OP should go to the school. But many many kids (and this kid is just 10-11) express fantasies like this. There’s a massive difference between normal (albeit undesirable) expressions and serious mental illness + guns that happened in the Crumbley case.

Literally no.

I work in this field and can tell you that this is the age when these signs first manifest themself. Many kids do draw pictures of weapons and fights, but few draw specific pictures targeting one individual. Also, if the child is disruptive or bullying, I would see it as a serious concern.

Having worked with parents of school shooters and violent juveniles, I would be at the school first thing and want a target hardening report done of the school as well as a threat assessment of the child.

Also, what kind of threat assessment? Who would have access to the results?

Depend on the state, a threat assessment is a mental health evaluation done by professionals to see if this is just general kid stuff, expressing anger at something in the home life, or if there is a threat/rish that the child will take action.

Example, FCPS has a threat assessment protocol that they must follow in cases such as these. The folks who would have access are the Childs family and the school. Again, each school district and state is different.

Thanks, I really appreciate this. We are at a private school so I don’t know what protocol, if any, they need to follow. Maybe from the state.

If the assessment clears the child to come back, how reliable is it?

This is a case in which the child is known to have anger outbursts in class over various issues and has had difficulty with other kids. My kid has been singled out (according to their friends and classmates also) over the past year or two. It has been addressed via conversations with teachers and parents. The conversation with parents was recent. The gun and knife were drawn on a school assignment asking children to picture what they wanted to happen in the new year. Child showed it and explained it to other classmates who reported. It is concerning that this happened after the conversation with parents, as it’s unclear how the child will respond to further discipline and isolation.

My heart truly breaks for the child, the teacher, and everyone — it’s not a good situation. At the same time my first job as a parent is to make sure my teacher was safe.

Wait OP is your kid at a private school?

If so remove them already what are you waiting for and involve the police now.

+1

OP, if it is anything like FCPS, you will be up against a brick wall unless you get a lawyer and get the other kid removed, which is more difficult than it should be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This happened to my child at a private school. The parents of the kid ended up leaving the school voluntarily rather than have their child evaluated. [/quote

Not surprised. Do this OP - make sure the other kid is evaluated. STAT.