| Semiautomatic weapon found at night school (5/08) | | Print | |
| Written by Glennis Markison | |
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The principal asked the school district to move the night school program to another location after a weapons-related incident on Thursday, May 8.
Principal Andrew Ishibashi made the request one day after a classroom search for marijuana led to a night-school student’s arrest for carrying a loaded gun. The district has yet to respond to his request. According to a Lowell security guard on duty that night who asked to remain anonymous, after a night-school teacher smelled marijuana in his classroom, “I was asked to search male students, and the female co-principal was asked to search female students.” After discovering a loaded gun, a security guard called the police. “We felt that police needed to be involved to address the concern of how (the gun) would affect students,” said Holly Giles, assistant principal of pupil services and co-principal of night school. Despite the suspect’s status as a minor, the “response wouldn’t be different whether it was an adult or a student carrying a gun,” said Taravel Police Station Officer Leung, who was present at the incident. “The only difference is what happens after they are arrested.” Giles declined to disclose the name of the night-school teacher who requested the search. Students waited outside the bungalows while the police spoke to the student. “The student was compliant with every inquiry that was made,” Giles said. The night-school students were curious about what was happening, according to Lowell senior Matt Jew, who was playing basketball at the time. “With about five cop cars rolling up, people didn’t know what was going on,” Jew said. The suspect was arrested and taken to the Taraval Police station. He was later booked at the Youth Guidance Center, where he is currently being held. “With gun charges, (the case) is taken to the District Attorney, who decides whether or not to file charges,” said a probation officer at the Youth Guidance Center, who asked to remain anonymous. The District Attorney has yet to decide on the case. Despite the startling scene, everyone came away unscathed. “No one was harmed, there was nothing pointed at anyone, and no one was visibly at risk of being hurt,” Giles explained. Although no one was hurt, many students and teachers continue to speculate on the incident. “Some people will read what is printed in the news, but those that don’t read the newspaper will speculate and spread rumors,” the Lowell security guard on duty during the incident said. One student said she was surprised to hear about the story on the news instead of from school administrators. “I was listening to this woman (on the news) talking about an incident with an elementary school student bringing a gun to school and when she mentioned a similar thing happened at Lowell, I was shocked,” junior Kenny Ludlow said. Despite the news broadcasts and an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, many students have heard different versions of the story. “I have heard many stories about the incident that have taken what happened completely out of context, such as assuming that the suspicious student attended Lowell,” Giles said. She explained that the night school program is only affiliated with Lowell through its location. Night school students are seniors from San Francisco Unified School District schools who are making up credits for classes they previously failed. Giles said she believes that the current night school security is sufficient. “We always have security that addresses each situation that’s brought to our attention,” Giles said. Others feel security could be improved. “Metal detectors might help in this situation, especially if the night-school takes kids from all over the city,” the Youth Guidance Center probation officer said. The recent gun incident is not the first time night-school students have broken the rules. “I’ve had students tag my room, break my window screen and gouge into the desks with pencils to write things,” English teacher Gloria Daffner said. Other teachers have had similar problems. “I often have ants in my room, even though I’ve asked the night school teacher in my room not to let students eat in here,” English teacher Wendy Beck said. “Students have also taken little gifts I use as prizes for my students.” According to Giles, the administration attempts to respond to the complaints of teachers whose rooms are used during night school. “Allegations have been made — some had validity, some were questionable¬ — but we always try to address what’s been brought to our attention about repairs and anything written on desks,” Giles said. “I’m trying to keep the peace with daytime teachers by respecting their rooms.” |
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to listen.
