Last year, I was asked if I could sit in on a meeting since I was the only one of my peers to have a free hour at the end of the day. So, of course, I said “sure!” I thought it was just an IEP meeting or an S-team (School talk for meetings for students with special needs).
When I came in to the meeting, Dad and Mom were already there. The student was not, but that wasn’t surprising, we usually get started without the student.
“Mr. Dad,” the Principal began, “As you know, we’ve called this meeting because your son has made a threat against the school. He said and wrote that he wanted to shoot up the school.”
I realized this was not a normal meeting…
“The police searched your home and found that he did have access to weapons, and this is why they took your son into custody while a full investigation is pending.”
Mom is shaking her head, a tear falls down her cheek. Dad is just studying the bare table in front of him.
“At this time, we will have to see how the legal system works out for your son, but it is very likely that he will not be returning to our school this year. He will go to another school for the rest of the year where students get more attention than they can get at a regular public school.”
Dad shifts a little, but still says nothing. Mom is covering one side of her face as she can’t believe this.
“Mr. Dad, can I ask you why you think this happened?”
Dad shakes his head a little. “Well, he does like to play online games. He really hates doing homework. He really hates school.”
“We investigated to see if there were any bullying situations, or any instances where your son was in any physical situations and we found none. It was quite surprising because his teachers say he is quiet, but generally well behaved. While his grades aren’t the best, his teachers say that he does try.”
Another Principal handed tissues to the mother. “You say he plays online games? Are you with him? Do you know what he is doing? Does he talk with people online?”
“Yes,” Dad reluctantly answers. “He closes the door in his room and locks the door. He doesn’t want us to come in.”
— There was much more that happened in this meeting. It went on for about an hour as the Principals asked the parent questions about the son, and the parents asked about their son’s future in school.
It scared me as I realized these meetings were somewhat normal, now. They happen enough times that the administration is used to talking to parents about these sorts of things. I’ve had to sit in a couple of more meetings since then.
It’s a scary world, but know that the schools and police are constantly watching and doing everything they can. For every one school shooting, there are hundreds or thousands of times it is being stopped.