Apparently the information we got on The Watch List (see previous post) was not entirely accurate - at least, I didn't interpret it correctly. In fact, we have NOT been named persistently violent. This is, in reality, only our first year on The Watch List. We must make the list for 4 consecutive years before being named Persistently Violent. So, if the trend continues - and of course, we're taking steps to be sure we're off the list next year - we could be persistently violent in 2012.
It is frustrating though that letters went home to our parents stating that our school has been labeled as persistently violent. It's just not true. It is also frustrating that we're in a catch-22 - if we know about the weapons but ignore them, there are no referrals written, and therefore we don't end up on the list. If we know about them and take steps to be sure it doesn't happen again, thereby making our school safer, we end up on the list and labeled dangerous when, in fact, we are less dangerous than before the referrals were written. It is also frustrating that this has happened because many of our kids live in dangerous areas. They bring the weapons to school because they feel they need them for self defense in their neighborhoods and at the bus stops. Sad, but true.
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