TESD Reviewing Policy After Police Called On 6-Year-Old

BERWYN, PA — After police were called to Valley Forge Elementary School when a 6-year-old girl who has Down Syndrome made "finger guns" at a teacher and said "I shoot you," the district is reviewing its threat assessment policy which led to police being called.

According to the district, many concerns parties have contacted the district after the story of Margot Gaines, 6, gained attention.

Margot made finger gun motions toward a teacher and said "I shoot you," even though the act was wholly without malice, back in November.

"As many are aware, there has been discussion in the community and the media regarding the process TESD uses to assess potential threats," according to the district. "The Board has received emails and listened to parent input regarding concerns related to our school safety practices, including public participation at the February 4th Policy Committee meeting."

Margot's mother, Maggie, said her daughter now has a record with police due to the policy, which can be read in full here.

The district said the next Policy Committee meeting is at 7 p.m. March 3 at the District Administration Offices. This meeting is open to the public.

Before the meeting, residents are encouraged to contact the board at schoolboard@tesd.net with any additional input or ideas.

The district provided the following information as clarification of the policy:

• The current procedure calls for consultation in all cases of threatening behavior to be sure potentially helpful information is shared. There is a difference between police consultation versus reporting a threat to the police and asking for an investigation. The current case being discussed in the media did not involve any police interaction with the child.
• The goals of the consultation are to provide an opportunity for each agency to share important information about a child that could be helpful in providing supports to all individuals involved in a threat and to allow the police to offer their judgment about the level of seriousness of the threat.
• For a police consultation, the District initiates a phone conversation with the police to share key information about a threatening behavior.
• According to the police, a consultation does not result in the creation of a criminal or juvenile record for the child, or information that can be accessed by the public. Whatever information is retained about the call by the police is a police determination.
• A police consultation is not related to school-based discipline.
• Although all threatening behaviors involve police consultation, any threats deemed to be substantive in nature result in a police report and appropriate investigation or action.