Update: I have received word that a student was hit and injured.

As a Community Representative on the Local School Council, This is not an effort to raise alarm. This is a post to raise awareness that there is no reason, no acceptable reason, for any inference of a gun on a school campus, or student harm, and any mention, drawing, social media post reflecting that manner must never be dismissed.

If a student displays behavior that expresses harm to another student, that is of utmost moral, ethical, and legal concern to address, and that student now invokes extreme caution.

There is no delay. There is no discussion. There is immediate evaluation and immediate isolation. There is no, “I did not mean it,” or, “they are just a child.”

The necessary lesson is if you didn’t mean it, you should not have done it.

That lesson is beyond an imperative. If a student displaying risk does not know this lesson, they must be isolated until they do. There is a real danger. Having spent time hospitalized in wards throughout my life, I have seen it.

We have seen too many times preventable behavior begins because students were excused as their behavior was merely, childish.

No. There are many childish children. They do not bring a gun to school.

Mental Health is not an excuse. Many students have mental health matters and they do not bring a gun to school. I grew up with one of the most severe mental health disorders possibly diagnosed, and I never brought a gun to school.

Parenting is not an excuse. Many students have difficult home situations and they do not bring a gun to school.

Lack of opportunity is not an excuse. Many students face the same lack of resources and they do not bring a gun to school.

We have a lot that we need to fix in our world, Very Urgently, and I assert that we need to fix these cracks immediately.

But bringing a gun to school is not a comprehensible consequence to partake.

There should be intervention Well Before that happens, and if it does happen, it must be addressed as vehemently unacceptable in nature. This outlines a need for additional, well-trained social workers.

We can get through this together.

Yours,

Daniel Kleinman

Community Representative at Disney

The below is from our principal.

Dear Disney Families,

The safety of your children is my top priority, which is why I am writing to inform you of an incident that occurred today. This morning during school hours, a gun was accidentally discharged on school grounds. The gun discharged in a backpack and hit the floor, causing some damage and releasing debris. Our staff immediately intervened, secured the gun, and contacted the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and the CPS Office of Safety and Security. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured and everyone is safe. CPD responded to our school quickly and confiscated the gun. We are working closely with the CPS Office of Safety and Security to make a safety plan moving forward.

Please know that we are taking this situation extremely seriously, and CPD is investigating this incident. Many students are aware of this incident. If your child voices any fears or worries, or you notice a change in their behavior, please let us know and we can provide them with extra support. If you or your child ever see any concerning behavior, please contact a trusted adult at the school immediately so we can report the information to CPD.  

Thank you for your support. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Paul Riskus

Paul Riskus, Principal at Walt Disney Magnet Elementary