Printer-friendly version One of our staff members was in possession of a firearm in a locked locker. No staff members or students were harmed or threatened by this incident. There is no evidence that the employee was a threat to our school community. Staff responded immediately, followed proper security procedures and alerted police. The firearm was secured by police. The staff member was immediately removed from the school and placed on administrative leave.
Maintaining a safe and secure environment at our school is a top priority. As a precaution, our school will remain on code yellow for the remainder of the day. During a code yellow, instruction continues as usual, but students remain in their classrooms. Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited on school property. We are committed to following state law and MPS policy in all matters involving weapons.
Our school resource officer and MPS safety and security staff are working with us to make sure that our school remains a safe place to work and learn. If your student has any concerns, please encourage him or her to connect with any of our staff members.
If you have any questions, please contact our school office at 668.4950.
Q: Who had the firearm? A: Data privacy laws prevent us from sharing the name of the staff person, but please know that the person was immediately removed from the building and placed on administrative leave.
Q: Will s/he be fired? A: We are committed to following state law and MPS policy in all matters involving weapons. However, data privacy laws prevent us from sharing details of this specific investigation. Please know that the person was immediately removed from the building and placed on administrative leave.
Q: Why did the staff person have the firearm? A: The Minneapolis Police Department is investigating the details of this incident. Maintaining a safe and secure environment at our school is a top priority. There is no evidence that the staff person was a threat to our school community. As a precaution, our school will remain on code yellow for the remainder of the day. Instruction will continue as usual, but students will remain in their classrooms.
Q: Does this have anything to do with Newtown, Connecticut? A: There is no evidence of a threat to our school community. What happened in Connecticut is tragic, but it is only coincidental that it was a tragedy affecting a school.
Q: Were students in the building when this happened? A: Students were in the building but no students were witness to the police activity in the school.
Q: Was my child in danger? A: There is no evidence of a threat to our school community. No staff members or students were harmed or threatened by this incident.
Q: What did my child experience? A: No staff members or students were harmed or threatened by this incident. No students were witness to the police activity in the school. We did not address this incident with students in their classrooms.
Q: What is your school doing to ensure safety? A: At Seward we are fortunate to have a strong sense of community. We are committed to providing a safe, orderly learning environment for children and staff. Like other schools across the country, we are reviewing our safety and security measures. Every fall we are required to write a safety plan and identify an emergency response team. That being said, there are basic safety precautions we take every day such as taking attendance, making certain all parents and visitors sign in and get a visitor badge and locking doors after students arrive (approximately 7:45 a.m.). Per the Minnesota Department of Education, we practice lockdown drills five times per year and fire drills five times per year. These are handled in a calm, practical manner so as not to make students scared or anxious.
Q: Does the school tell people not to bring weapons? A: Bringing a gun to school is against the law and violates MPS policy. Seward gives clear notice to the public that we don’t allow firearms on the property. This is noticed on all main entrance doors. MPS staff members must sign off on this staff policy upon their employment.
Q: I want to come pick up my child right now. A: Schools are the safest places children go. There is no evidence of a threat to our school community and learning instruction continues as normal. It is understandable that this event has made some children and parents worried about safety at school. If you or your child have concerns, please talk to the administrators and student support/related service staff (counselors, nurses, psychologists and social workers) about how we can help your child and you feel safer.
Q: I insist on picking up my child. A: You have the right to remove your child from school. Please remember to check in at the main office.