In Newport News, Virginia, a jury awarded $10 million to former teacher Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student, after finding former assistant principal Ebony Parker liable for ignoring warnings about the gun. Zwerner, who was shot in January 2023, had sought $40 million in damages, having spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and requiring six surgeries. The lawsuit argued that Parker failed to act on warnings from school staff who reported the student had a gun in his backpack. Parker faces a separate criminal trial this month on charges of felony child neglect, while the student’s mother was sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
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A Baltimore County high school student was wrongly accused of carrying a firearm after an AI-powered gun detection system misidentified a bag of Doritos as a weapon. Police were alerted and responded to the scene, detaining and searching the student, ultimately finding no weapon. The incident highlights the potential for error in AI-driven security systems, prompting concern and calls for support for the students involved. School officials have since issued a statement acknowledging the upset caused and offering counseling services.
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During a recent appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Representative Tom Emmer criticized Governor Tim Walz for a lack of school safety resources following a Minneapolis shooting. However, when questioned about his vote against the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which allocated funding for school safety and mental health services, Emmer admitted he did not recall his reasons for voting against the bill. After being pressed further on the matter, Emmer pivoted, attempting to shift blame to the shooter’s inner circle.
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Amid ongoing protests against the Trump administration’s ICE complex in Portland, the use of chemical irritants by federal agents has forced the nearby Cottonwood School to relocate due to safety concerns. The school’s interim executive director cited the impact of tear gas and other munitions on the school grounds and the inability to guarantee student safety. The school’s move highlights the broader consequences of the nightly clashes between protesters and federal agents, as the chemical weapons used by the government have created an unsafe environment for children and families. This situation prompted the school to seek the support of Senator Ron Wyden, who expressed concern over ICE’s unchecked authority and the potential health risks to children.
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Osmaston CofE Primary School in Derbyshire was evacuated after a student brought a hand grenade to a Second World War show-and-tell assembly. The head teacher, unsure if the device was live, carefully moved it outside before contacting emergency services. Bomb disposal experts later confirmed the grenade, a family heirloom brought to school without parental knowledge, was safe. Police commended the school staff’s quick thinking and urged parents to check children’s show-and-tell items.
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Carrie Rivers, an Indiana mother, faces charges of firearm possession on school property and harassment after threatening her daughter’s teacher. The threat stemmed from a classroom assignment about flags that included a reference to the rainbow flag, prompting Rivers to accuse the teacher of pushing a “personal agenda” regarding sexuality. Rivers brought a concealed handgun to the school, later sending threatening messages to the teacher, including a warning to “kiss your kids goodbye.” The school district has banned Rivers from campus, emphasizing its commitment to a safe learning environment.
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The Trump administration’s decision to disband the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board is a setback for school safety initiatives. This board, established after the Parkland shooting and codified into law, provided crucial research and best practices to schools nationwide. Its dissolution, condemned by GIFFORDS, prioritizes the gun lobby’s interests over student safety, particularly concerning given the 330 school shootings in 2024. This action represents a failure of bipartisan cooperation on a critical issue impacting children’s lives.
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ICE agents attempted to enter Hamline Elementary School in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood to conduct an enforcement action, but were turned away by school staff. This incident, which occurred on January 24th, highlights the growing tension between immigration enforcement and the safety and well-being of children in schools.
School officials immediately followed established protocols. They prevented the agents from entering the building and promptly contacted the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Law Department and Office of Safety and Security for guidance. The agents were not allowed any interaction with students or staff, and teaching continued uninterrupted. This swift and decisive action by school personnel prevented a potentially traumatic situation for young children.… Continue reading
Following a Trump administration announcement permitting immigration arrests at schools, Worcester Public Schools (WPS) issued directives to protect students. WPS will not cooperate with ICE and requires a warrant for agent entry. A memo to bus drivers instructs them to keep students on board if immigration agents are present at bus stops, contacting transportation immediately. Teachers expressed concern for students’ safety and well-being amidst these heightened fears. Governor Healey clarified that Massachusetts will cooperate with federal investigations only for those accused of crimes, not undocumented immigrants without charges.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood