7 Elementary School Students Cut Their Wrists At School – Parents Weren’t Notified For 2 Weeks

I don’t even know how to process this.

SEVEN kids cut their wrists while at a Maryland elementary school.

The kids were all between the ages of 5 and 10…

And parents weren’t notified for TWO WEEKS.

According to this:

A Maryland elementary school has banned pencil sharpeners and angered parents following a frightening incident last month involving seven children.

Officials with Prince George’s County Public Schools launched an investigation after a parent came forward on March 29 about elementary students who reportedly cut their wrists using blades found in pencil sharpeners, according to WTTG-TV.

Thankfully, none of the seven students at William Paca Elementary School in Hyattsville needed to go to the hospital as a school nurse determined the injuries were not serious enough. But all families of the children involved were notified and a team of counselors was dispatched to speak with the students about the incident which took place before spring break.

“It’s very shocking, I wouldn’t expect that from a young child,” one parent told WUSA9.

The ban on pencil sharpeners at the school was announced to parents in a message sent on March 29, but no other information was given at the time, including the reason for the ban. Many parents were angry at finding out what happened with the seven students nearly two weeks after the incident occurred

So why is this an issue?

Well, if I had a school-aged kid, and SEVEN of her peers CUT THEIR WRISTS at school, I’d want to have a conversation with her about what she’s seen, what she’s heard, and why, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES, should she ever do the same.

Any parent would. Right?

ANY parent would want to check in with their kid after something like this happens at their school.

Cutting and suicide aren’t something one would expect to have to talk to their elementary-school-aged kid. But apparently, now you have to.

“The school’s first priority was identifying students who may have engaged in this activity and contacting their parents to offer support. The investigation continued through spring break and after. The parents of seven students were contacted first to offer support,” Prince George’s County Public Schools officials said in a statement, according to WTTG-TV.

“During the investigation, messages were sent to all parents banning the use of handheld pencil sharpers as there are classroom pencil sharpeners available,” the statement continued. “The investigation has concluded. Today, a letter was sent to all parents informing them of the incidents, guidance lessons being taught in school, and counseling resources available if parents or students have concerns.”

I understand wanting to talk to the families of the children affected first. But still. Two weeks. By then, it’s hard to have a meaningful conversation with a 5-to-10-year-old about what they’ve seen or heard.

Two weeks is a LONG time for a kid that age.

Additionally, HOLY FREAKING CRAP. WHY are LITTLE KIDS cutting themselves with pencil sharpeners?!

It’s just another symptom of our decaying society…. and it’s hurting our most vulnerable.

So, so sad.