WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsTwo students bring knives to Marshfield Schools

Two students bring knives to Marshfield Schools

by Elizabeth Fay

MARSHFIELD (WAOW)--We all want to know our kids are safe at school. The Marshfield School District recently dealt with some troubling safety concerns.

The superintendent says yesterday, a sixth grader walked into Lincoln Elementary School carrying a small knife in his pocket.

That same morning another sixth grader brought a utility device, which included a knife blade, into Washington Elementary School.

The superintendent says the students told other kids about the knives. That's when those kids reported them to teachers.

"That's what we want them to do. If you feel threatened or see something, you need to tell us," says Superintendent Bruce King.

Administrators promptly got a hold of the items and called local law enforcement.

"Even if its a prank, even if no harm was intended, the fact is, any weapon can be dangerous if used maliciously," says King.

The sixth graders never used the weapons but the incidents prompted Karen Jacobson to talk to her five-year-old son about school safety.

"To be honest with you, I haven't talked with him about this stuff. Up until this point, I haven't even thought about talking to him in regards to this issue," says Jacobson.

Kids are often taught not to be "tattle tales." Gary Haley tries to teach his son when to speak up.

"I don't see if anything wrong with taking care of it anyway you can. If that means snitching, if that is going to save somebody's life or well being than it's fine with me," says Haley.

"Safety goes both ways, to inform your child that you need to go to the schools personnel if you see something that is not right but also making sure that we don't have things in his possession, things that he can get a hold of," says Jacobson.

Online Reporter: Elizabeth Fay