Chariho Parents Question District’s Response to Concerning List at Charlestown Elementary
CHARLESTOWN, R.I. (WJAR) — Parents in the Chariho Regional School District are raising concerns about safety and communication after a second-grade student at Charlestown Elementary School apparently created a concerning list containing the names of students and staff.
The concerns come on the heels of a stabbing incident in a welding class at Chariho High School.
"How does a second grader know to do this?" asked Courtney Figarsky, whose child attends Charlestown Elementary. "Our kids are all together at lunch and recess and things like that so while they might not be in the same class I feel like they're definitely affected," Figarsky said.
Parents told NBC 10 they initially learned about the list through other people rather than directly from the district. "The rumors spread like wildfire for about a week," said Nick Testa, the parent of a second-grade student.
Several days after parents began hearing about the list, the school sent an email informing them of the situation. The email stated that administrators immediately investigated and addressed the concern, contacted law enforcement, and followed all safety protocols and procedures. It also said the situation had been resolved.
Superintendent Gina Picard provided the following statement to NBC 10:
"The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities. Every day, our school teams help students navigate their interactions, build positive relationships, and communicate their feelings, working closely with families when questions or concerns arise.
If a concern regarding safety arises, our schools have threat assessment teams and established procedures to guide our response. We work closely with local law enforcement and may coordinate wellness checks with police out of an abundance of caution. If a safety concern is identified, we communicate directly with the individuals or families affected.
Charlestown Elementary Principal Nicole Westcott is well-versed in our safety procedures and follows district policies and protocols, including communicating concerns directly with families. We take concerns seriously, review information carefully and in context, and work with the families involved.
Based on the information reviewed, there is no identified threat to the Charlestown Elementary school community, including its teachers, staff, or students. We understand families’ concerns and remain committed to supporting every child. To protect student privacy, we cannot discuss individual students or confidential conversations."
Picard did not specify what action was taken or whether the student remains enrolled at Charlestown Elementary. Charlestown police did not respond to NBC 10’s request for comment or information about any investigation.