GLOCESTER – A document created by a group of female students at Ponaganset Middle School dubbed “The Murder List,” has not been deemed a credible threat by administrators, but some local parents say the incident has left their children feeling unsafe.
According to an email to parents from Supt. Renee Palazzo, administrators were made aware of a threat during the school day on Monday, April 7.
“The team quickly addressed the situation under common school practices, including informing the police,” noted Palazzo. “The safety of our students and safe is always our highest priority.”
Parent Jessica Wilhelm posted about the incident on social media, noting that she found the district’s response vague, and that it did not reflect the gravity of what actually occurred.
“The administration has claimed they did their ‘due diligence,’ but we still don’t know exactly what that entails,” Wilhelm noted, stating the situation affected one fifth of the sixth grade class. “This was not just an isolated incident.”
Wilhelm notes that the students who made the threat were allegedly questioned, but no information about further actions or consequences has been provided to concerned parents.
“They may have been sent home yesterday, but we were not informed of that,” she noted. “What we do know is that these students were allowed to return to school today, were not searched, and continued to be in close proximity to the very students they targeted. Some even rode the same bus as the students they listed—students who are now terrified.”
Wilhelm said she finds the district’s lack of action in addressing the issue appalling, noting that there’s an average of 380 school shootings each year, which breaks down to two per school day.
“Regardless of age, these children created a list with clear intent, and my children, along with many others, are scared to go to school,” said Wilhelm, noting she and others met with the principal and superintendent to discuss their concerns on Tuesday, but were told that no change would be made.
“This response is not only insufficient but dangerous. It is disgraceful and unacceptable that the safety of the students who were targeted is not being taken seriously. It’s clear that the school is more concerned about protecting the students who made the threat than those who are now living in fear.”
Kevin Kitson who serves on the Foster Glocester Juvenile Hearing Board and noted that they’ve heard similar cases in the past, and would be happy to assist with the situation if asked.
“Hopefully, we have the opportunity to intervene before this gets out of control,” Kitson noted.
Contacted on Wednesday, Wilhelm said administrators made a safety plan to keep the authors of the Murder List away from her children, but that it only included core classes and the bus.
“I told them it was unacceptable and they said they would work on it some more and call me today,” she said, noting that she has not yet heard back.
For now, it seems many involved have only the information provided in the superintendent’s email – and talk on social media.
“To ensure you have accurate information and feel reassured, this message confirms there was no viable, schoolwide threat,” the communication noted.
Palazzo did not immediately respond to NRI NOW‘s request for additional information.
I am disturbed by the fact that the school administration has not been transparent I. The steps they took to ensure the children’s safety. That is unacceptable. The students who made this list were devious and should definitely face the juvenile hearing board and suspended until a discipline has been doled out. Shame on this ad
Ministration. If it were my kid doing something like this, I would yank them from the school myself! I hope their parents realize the severity of these students actions and raise their kid to know right from wrong.
My son attends this school, and this incident demands immediate attention. We prioritize the safety of our children during their educational journey. The consequences for these actions should be unequivocally communicated, serving as a deterrent to similar behavior. The manner in which this matter was handled is deeply concerning. We must ensure the safety and well-being of our students within our school community. Take action!
Ponagansett needs to fix this situation and make it safer again because I do not feel safe in this school if somebody made this list and we do not know if someone could get hurt by these people and I just hope I am not one of them. so I really hope Ponagansett fixed this situation so other people and me can feel safe when they go back to school.
The story caused me pause. On one hand with the generation I grew up with any such list would be considered fantasy and nonsense. It would be a sequel to the movie mean girls. But in this generation it seems that it must be taken more seriously. The girls should be disciplined for participating in such activity even if it was only for their own self-satisfaction. They are old enough to know better. I would suggest a large number of hours of community service and a note of apology to the listed students at the very least. Good luck handling this one.
This is so stupid I have two people who made the murder list on my bus and they sit behind me now I know I’m not on the list but there going to take any chance they can get to hurt someone and I’m scared for my life now. Come on Ponaganset make this school safer and do something about this!