FYI from JFK Middle School
Published on Feb 3, 2010 14:09

A letter is being carried home today (Feb. 3) with the students about an incident that happened this morning at JFK.  Here is a copy of the letter:

 

Memo to:    JFK Parents/Guardians
From:        Tim Neville – Principal
Subject:    Incident at JFK
Date:        February 3, 2010

This morning, about 10 minutes before the start of our 9:06 delayed opening, I received a call that a student on one of our buses was possibly carrying a gun. The student was identified by name. Per procedure, I immediately informed our School Resource Officer and Assistant Superintendent Tony Torre of the situation. Officer Marusak in turn was in immediate contact with the Enfield Police Department.

By this time, several buses, including the bus in question, had already pulled up in front of the school. In addition, perhaps 30 students were already in the building due to the inclement weather.

Due to the situation, I directed that JFK go into a Level 1 Lockdown, where all students in the building went to the nearest classroom and doors were closed and locked. At the same time, Administrators and Officer Marusak  boarded the bus in question and directed all but the two students in question into the cafeteria. Two other police officers joined Officer Marusak on the bus to detain and search the two students in question. All other bus drivers were directed to hold their students on the buses until further notice.

The search by the police netted two BB/pellet guns and the two students were arrested.

The question at the forefront of my mind (and yours as well, I’m sure) is, Why did students bring these BB guns to school? My preliminary investigation suggests that these guns were intended to be used for after school target practice. It does not appear at this time that there was any intent to do otherwise. Obviously there is an ongoing police investigation that will determine specific facts in this case.

By 9:30, I took JFK out of lockdown and the normal school day resumed. I called two assemblies today to inform students and staff of the situation and to compliment both staff and students on their exceptional cooperation and response to this most unusual incident. As you all know, student safety is our number one priority. It takes all of us working together to keep everyone safe; today is an example of staff, students, police and parents working together for a positive outcome.