Incident at Van Buren Elementary School - February 2, 2024

February 2, 2024

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff, 

I’m writing to you to inform you that we are investigating an incident this morning at Van Buren Elementary School where a fourth grader brought a BB gun to school. Another student informed a staff member about the BB gun. The school resource officer immediately secured the fourth grader’s backpack, which contained the BB gun. 

All students and staff members are safe. There were no verbal threats made to use the BB gun against another student or against the school. 

We are working with our local law enforcement to conduct a full investigation. I would like to thank the student who reported this concern. The school takes matters of this nature extremely seriously and will be following our Code of Conduct. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Joseph M. DeBarbieri
Superintendent of Schools