Yesterday, school officials found an unloaded pellet pistol at Tupelo Middle School. The two students involved in this situation were turned over to the police as we continued to work with law enforcement, staff members, and students to ensure safety at school.

This is the second weapon brought by a student from home to school in the last three weeks. It is not my intent to alarm you with this message, but I do want to keep you informed. Further, I can assure you that Tupelo Middle School is safe for students and staff. We will continue to enforce district policy concerning this type of violation of school rules. We absolutely cannot, and will not, tolerate weapons on our campuses.

Next week Tupelo Middle School Administrators will hold meetings with students to once again explain:

• the seriousness of bringing a weapon to school and the dire consequences, including expulsion, of such behavior

• that an additional result of bringing a weapon to school can be jail and/or fines

• what a student should do when he or she has knowledge of a weapon being at school

I intend for our students’ education to be uninterrupted, and I want to ensure the safety of our students and staff. As parents, guardians, and community members, please help us in our efforts to impress upon students that I will not allow this practice to occur in our schools. I want this to stop.

As always, we will continue to respond to weapons at school in a prompt, proactive fashion. Thanks to the community for your continued support and to the students and staff for your part in keeping our schools safe.w