This post is to share my experiences about my son who goes to Washington Mill Elementary School, threats to kill him with a gun, and his Principal, Tish Howard's weak response to this serious threat. Hopefully this post will get some results.
(This is part one of multiple posts about notes I presented to Principal Lizette (Tish) Howard and Fairfax County Assistant Superintendent of Cluster Four Scott Brabrand this afternoon. This was my second meeting with Scott and my fourth with Tish. I was given the "Great Feedback" and "Thanks for coming in" and sent on my way. Jack Dale is the SuperIntendent.)
The following incident occurred within days of three murders in the Mount Vernon area.
MARCH 25, 2010 – WASHINGTON MILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ALEXANDRIA, VA
A nine year old boy stated his father had twenty guns in his closet at home and he was going to bring one to school and kill my son and his friends on the playground that day. This because my son passed a ball to a boy designated to put the ball away at the end of recess, instead of him.
I receive a call from an Instructional Coach who begins: “I just want to let you know about an incident that happened today but you have nothing to worry about.” He continued, explaining a boy had threatened to shoot my son on the playground an hour before. I immediately requested to speak with principal, Dr. Tish Howard who was unavailable. I was offered the assistant principal, Tim Kasik. I received a call from Tim Kasik who stated there was no cause for concern because a “Threat Assessment” had been completed and the threat was determined to be “transient”. Tim Kasik explained, “This happens all the time and you have nothing to worry about.” I asked if the parents had been contacted and asked whether there were guns in the home and Tim Kasik did not have an answer. He checked with the Instructional Coach and I was told they had not asked the parents but would call me back. This is where my trust in the school providing a safe environment disappears.
Minutes later, I receive a call from Tim Kasik explaining the parents were on their way to the school and he would let me know more after their meeting. I asked for the name of the child and the parents contact information and was denied both. I was told he could only offer the child’s parents my phone number and ask them to call me. I called Mr. Kasik back and requested the phone number of the police officer assigned to the school. He stated he only had access to a number for school security. When I called, I was told this situation is not something they handle. With little faith in Mr. Kasik’s handling of the situation and a feeling protocols are inept or not being followed, I call the police to the school.
I met Tim Kasik to wait for the officer to arrive. While waiting he informs me the parents claim they do not have guns in the home. We review the situation with the officer and he states he can only interview the parents. I request the interview and hope there is some documentation this student has verbalized a death threat. The officer calls me after the meeting and informs me the parents stated they did not have guns in the home. He stated he was unable to get a good feel from them because he spoke to them through a translator.
Tim Kasik calls that afternoon to follow-up. I question how the school typically handles death threats and if the child be disciplined. He states it happens all the time and that there has never been a threat assessment result other than “transient”. He is unable to tell me anything about what actions will be taken with the child and he is unable to provide the child’s name or his parents contact info. He states he provided the parents with my name and phone number and they will call me.
On our last call of the day, I request disciplinary action against the child but Tim Kasik is unable to discuss what is being done with the child. He tells me going forward the school policy will include suspension of any child who threatens to kill another. I ask Tim Kasik to search the child’s bag upon entry to school the following day, the Friday before Spring Break, he tells me I will receive a call before 9:00AM the next morning.
I receive a call from Dr. Tish Howard at 9:15AM the next morning. She is on speakerphone, and informs me she has my son in her office. Without hesitation she tells me she searched the child’s backpack and that my son is safe. Not wanting this to become a concern for my son I interrupt and ask if I can return her call. She agrees. On our subsequent call I inform Dr. Howard that my son does not understand guns and I would rather him not know about these concerns.
She replies “Your son knows a lot more than you think he does.” I request a meeting to discuss school safety.
Please email me or post a comment if you have questions about anything in this post. My goal is to have these serious threats be taken more seriously.
Jason
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