Note Found At EGHS Speaks Of 'General Threat' To School
School officials notify parents Thursday after note is found.
A teacher at East Greenwich High School found a note containing a “random and general threat to the school community,” school officials wrote in an email to parents Thursday afternoon.
The email, written by Principal Michael Podraza and Supt. Victor Mercurio, said the note was “anonymous” and “appears to be unconnected, arbitrary and the work of an individual who fails to appreciate the seriousness of that matter to which we have been responding this week.”
They were referring to heightened anxiety at the school following a student’s posting on Facebook April 6 of an essay he’d turned in to his English teacher a week earlier describing a school shooting spree. That student, a sophomore, has been suspended and is facing two charges of disorderly conduct related to the posting.
“It is critical to note that our continued collaboration with the police has not revealed any specific threats to the school or the school community,” the email read.
Police presence at the high school has been increased all week. Two officers have been on duty there. Police Chief Thomas Coyle said Thursday night the increase will remain in effect for the remainder of the school year. Police would not reveal the contents of the note, saying the investigation was ongoing.
The email closed with a quote from Edward R. Murrow: "No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we are all his accomplices."
CONCERENED CITIZEN
9:05 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
This is just RIDICULOUS
A More Concerned Citizen
9:17 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
I'm extremely concerned what the future generations of this town will hold.
EG Resident
9:17 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Indeed
CONCERENED CITIZEN
9:21 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
EG resident please explain yourself
Kristin Wheeler
9:22 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Great ending quote and very true.
CONCERENED CITIZEN
9:25 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Kids need to smarten up, seriously
EG Resident
9:31 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
These children are out of control and need to understand the consequences for there wreckless actions.
BOB I
1:10 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
you got that right
CONCERENED CITIZEN
9:41 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
I really dont think that this is a big deal, it is probably some idiot trying to be funny for his friends. We have had so many threats at the school around this time in the years past and it only results in money being taken out of the schools budget and it costs the town.
EG0521
9:55 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
I agree, I graduated last year, and I can say that 2 years ago at this time, there was a bomb threat. It was getting towards the end of the school year, and it almost added an excitement in the air. Obviously any threat isn't funny, but kids get restless and bored in the last few weeks of school.
Elizabeth McNamara
10:09 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Everyone, I've deleted a couple more comments that made reference to a specific juvenile. Those comments have no place here. Thanks.
BOB I
1:08 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
god forbid people know what really goes on in the schools
Heather Tibbitts
10:43 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
The tone of many of these comments on this situation (including the previous articles) bothers me. I cannot help but feel that we, as a community, are doing something rotten to this child in the way we are acting and commenting. Lets assume for the moment that it was "just an essay". If so, can you honestly say that your 15-year old self might not have "defiantly" posted it to Facebook (had it been available then) if you felt falsely accused? If it was a cry for help or a warning, then appropriate actions would seem to be in process. Either way, please remember that this is a child of our community, who will hopefully be able to reintegrate and be a productive member. We do not make it easier by posting inflammatory comments about the child or his parents. I leave you with the following to ponder before speaking/posting: "Is it True? - Is it Kind? - Is it Necessary?" to pass along this information? (Adapted from the Quaker story of The Three Sieves)
Lauren MacArthur
3:27 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
Unfortunately, in the society we are living, we cannot ignore behaviors that have the potential to harm others. The youngsters we are talking about are not babies. They are mid-to-older teens, who are extremely savvy about what is going on, technologically and socially. Of course, hearts go out to the child who began all of this, not by his essay, necessarily, but by his unwillingness to take his reprimand to heart and refrain from stirring the pot further. It cannot be ignored. Our hearts go out to the family of this child. However, our hearts need to go out to, and protect, all the other children of the community; the innocents.
EG Resident
11:02 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Well said Heather
Spring Street
11:10 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
COPY CATS COMING OUT! HERE WE GO ! I SAID BEFORE STOP THIS WHOLE MATTER NOW !
geraldine corrigan
11:26 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
I dont understand the police present at the high school. Exactly what are they doing and what is there to do in the school itself? Isn't the student and the student's friends the problem which needs policing?
Lauren MacArthur
3:33 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
Unfortunately, we are living in a society where, my understanding is, there is need daily for one policeman at the school. Correct me, if I am wrong. But, I am told there is ALWAYS one policeman at the school. Now, there are two, for the rest of the year, because of the recent incident. That is not many under the circumstance. The saddest part is that there is a need, all of the time, for a policeman to be in the school.
firefly
3:56 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
There is usually a school resource police officer on Mondays and Fridays. Only two days a week. I have not heard anything about a continued increased police presence of increased security for the rest of the year so I would assume it goes back to twice a week until we are notified otherwise. And Geraldine, no one knows who wrote the note. You seem to be assuming it was a friend of the other student. It could be anyone.
Lauren MacArthur
4:19 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
The above article states that Police Chief Coyle has said the increase in police presence will remain until the end of the year. Why have they only had a policeman on duty Mondays and Fridays in the past? Are those days less troublesome than Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays?
Elizabeth McNamara
4:29 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
Lauren,
The "school resource officer" was reinstated only very recently – in March, I think – after a few years of NO police presence at EGHS at all. Prior to that, there had been an SRO at the high school five days a week, but that was cut for budgetary reasons. Having someone there two days a week was an attempt to reintroduce the SRO and Chief Coyle has been working with the School Committee to share the cost of a full-time SRO for the next school year. So, as with many other things, this came down to dollars.
Lauren MacArthur
4:58 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
Elizabeth,
Are these SROs specially trained to deal with the student population? Are they volunteers? Are their selections made jointly by the school committee/administrators with the local police department? Just curious. I believe they, in our present society, are needed. I still say, however, it is a sad commentary on our present society, that police in schools are necessary. It appears that the days of schools being unquestioned safe places are gone. They disappeared when respectful behavior went away.
Elizabeth McNamara
9:06 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
They are police officers who are specifically assigned to the high school.
Jen C.
7:49 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
For parents looking to help impact change: contact school committee and town council members and let them know that you think it is important to have a School Resourse Officer all the time!
by being in the high school and Cole they are able to be a familiar face kids can go to as well knowing who the regular "players" are and are eyes and ears on the ground on a consistent basis to help head off trouble before it gets bigger.
My understanding is that the school and police are trying to decide who pays for this position and how well spent the money is. Acknowledging that there is only a limited pool of money, I still feel strongly that this is money very well spent and if you agree, let "the powers that be" know, now, while budgets are being made!
firefly
9:07 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
Kids have always acted out and misbehaved at school. It isn't as though they have become suddenly disrespectful. When we hear the stories of the shenanigans from 20 and 30 years ago at EGHS, it doesn't seem all that different and in fact the pranks were more outrageous. Most of the EGHS students are intelligent and respectful it seems very wrong classify them as otherwise. They are given very little slack regarding behavior. We got away with much more and were allowed to do much more. Maybe we have to be stricter these days due to a couple horrific incidences nationwide but they are certainly not any worse than we were. They are being held to a higher standard and are so very protected through the system that ball games are no longer allowed at recess in case someone gets bumped with a ball.
The high school has not announced the change in security yet. I await that announcement and how they will be paying for this. It will be nice to hear how two officers will be used. With one I am told, the officer was spending time in gym class perhaps bonding?
Elizabeth McNamara
8:32 am on Saturday, April 14, 2012
Bob I, your comment has been deleted. Please refrain from personal attacks.
BOB I
8:02 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
i do not it was a personal attack i don't believe death threat and shenanigans are the same.
Awake in EG
9:57 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
Time to ask why ...
EG Lurker
11:27 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
Time to ask what "why"?
Why this town overreacts to situations? Charging this kid criminally is an embarrassment, and the charges will NEVER stick. Was his essay in poor taste? Probably. Was it worth checking him out? Sure. But that's where it ends.
Why parents feel that it is ok to stir the pot via email chains, yet posting to facebook is a major offense? Last time I checked, the posting to facebook was well within the free speech limits, yet the email was (without knowing all the content) slanderous or libelous at best.
In reading the comments to this story - and many other stories in the past - it amazes me that many parents in this town are so ungrateful for not only the caliber of child that lives here, but for the quality of life that they also enjoy. Go spend a semester at a high school in Central Falls or Fall River (or So. Central LA or the south Bronx or...). Many are so insulated in the East Greenwich bubble that they fail to see that our issues pale in comparison to the issues of others, and in turn, make mountains out of molehills.
In hindsight, perhaps the essay and note writers were acting out due to the shame of the cheese sandwich hubbub from earlier in the year.
gladys_kravitz
8:54 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
Based on the article in the NE Independent, it appears that Coyle has his panties in a bunch. God forbid this town had real threats to deal with. Two officers at the school? How many officers does this po-dink town have on duty at any one time? Five? It's ridiculous. Two police officers at the school will NOT stop a bomb even if the threats were real. It's a huge waste of tax payer money. A real way a bomb could be averted is if we installed metal detectors at entrances to the school. Do you want to live in that type of society?
People in this town have so many opinions but nobody does anything. A bunch of loud mouths who vilify a kid for an essay. It was an ESSAY for Godssakes!!! Handed in to a teacher! It wasn't some manifesto written in his basement bathroom while he mixed chemicals!
Enough is enough - get on with your lives.