School teaches ‘If you see something, say something’ - lesson being learned

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — If you see something, say something. That is the overwhelming sentiment regarding safety issues everywhere — and most recently in the local public school system.

“We always encourage the students to say something,” Poplar Bluff R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman remarked. “That’s kind of the mantra we’ve instituted at every level, and we’re happy to see that our students will say something.”

Following a swatting incident that was perpetrated in Carter County on Friday, April 26, schools throughout the region started the week of the 29th at an elevated level of alert. And, while the threatening phone call issue was resolved by law enforcement in Carter County, it did cause some students to become more aware of things.

One such student at Eugene Field Elementary in Poplar Bluff did the right thing, and when she saw something, she said something.

According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Eugene Field Elementary staff was notified of a student having components of a gun in their backpack on Tuesday, April 30. The report states the student had two .22-caliber magazines that were loaded with live ammunition. 

However, further investigation indicates it was one magazine that could be loaded at both ends. 

When confronted about the matter, the student reportedly explained to school officials they brought the ammunition in an effort to feel safe in response to the previously reported swatting incident.

The student’s mother was contacted and arrived at the school. The matter is still under investigation, so the school is limited as to what they can say; but Cornman wanted to be clear there was no threat.

“We didn’t lock down the school and no threat had been made,” Cornman explained. “At no point was anyone in danger. There was no gun that could be used to fire the ammunition and there was no threat. Basically, the student did what they did because they wanted to feel safe.”

Cornman went on to explain that safety is a top priority, and this year the school instituted a new alarm system named the Raptor App — which enables any faculty or staff to alert everyone in the district of an emergency with the push of a button.

“We want everyone to be safe and we want everyone to feel safe,” Cornman stated. “And I really want for parents to have conversations with their children regarding what is/isn’t appropriate to bring to school. Kids don’t always make the best decisions.”

Cornman also took issue with reports that were made public regarding a sibling of the student who brought the ammunition to school. It was reported by other agencies the sibling had made a threat against the school.

“That can’t be verified,” Cornman stated. “We can’t verify that and law enforcement can’t verify it. Nothing was evidently said that would constitute a terroristic threat of any kind.”

Cornman said even though there was no threat, he is very pleased that the issue was reported swiftly to faculty.

“It’s especially encouraging that a student at such a young age didn’t hesitate to say something,” he noted. “We’re very thankful for that. We’re here to educate the children; unfortunately, we sometimes have to educate them on the bad things as well as the good things.”