Elementary Student Brings Paintball Gun to School

Earlier this week, a Wilson Elementary student brought a paintball gun to school, according to a letter that went home to parents from Principal John Haidemenos, Jr.

According to the Principal, the "student wanted to show his classmate that he had a paintball gun. We confiscated the toy, contact the Superintendent of the Framingham Schools and also called the local police to tell them about the incident." 

Haidemenos told parents that at "no time was any student at risk of being harmed. The student did not bring any ammunition (no paintball) to school. We investigated this incident very carefully to guarantee that there that student did not have any other motive for bringing the toy gun to school."

Framingham Public Schools has a zero tolerance policy on this issue.

The incident happened on Monday, Sept. 16. It is not known what grade the student was.

"From this perspective, there were serious consequences for the student, consequences that showed it was a very serious mistake to bring this type of object to school," said Haidemenos in the letter to parents. "Our first and foremost responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all students and staff at the Woodrow Wilson School."

Editor's Note: A copy of the letter that went home to parents is attached to this report.

The Principal asked parents to speak to their "children about items that are inappropriate for the school environment, mostly if this item could cause serious risks for other students or staff at the school." 

Haidemenos was hired as the new principal of Wilson Elementary School earlier this year, after former Principal Robin Welch announced he was retiring.

Originally published at 5:30 a.m. Updated at 6:31 a.m.