February 10, 2022
Dear Parent/Guardian:
This communication is to advise you of further information regarding the situation that occurred at Middletown Area Middle School on Thursday, February 10, 2022.
During first period, a group of students informed a School Counselor that a student had brought a gun to school. The School Counselor immediately took action and located the student in question. A search was initiated and a handgun was located and confiscated without incident. Lower Swatara Police were immediately notified and dispatched to the Middle School. Upon arrival, the police and MAMS Administration partnered together to investigate the situation. The student was taken into custody and will not be returning to the Middletown Area School District.
The Administration would like to commend the students who came forward so that the situation could be immediately investigated. Please take this opportunity to remind your students of the importance of “when you see something, say something.” If students are not comfortable reporting concerns directly to a staff member, they are encouraged to submit an anonymous tip through the Safe2Say Something™ system.
In order to continue to maintain a safe and orderly environment for our students and staff, we need the help of all parents/guardians. I wanted to take that this opportunity to ask all of our parents to please pay attention to what your children are bringing to school. Please have a conversation with your children and emphasize that it is against District policy to bring weapons of any kind to school. If students are caught with weapons, they will be subject to School District disciplinary measures along with the potential for criminal charges through our local police departments.
In closing, we certainly understand that everyone has been enduring very stressful and difficult times. Our society has been dealing with the pandemic and now with a rash of violence that is starting to sweep through schools across the country. Unfortunately, this has become the state of our country. However, let’s work together to keep our schools safe for the future well-being of our students, staff and the community.
With much gratitude and respect,
Dr. Chelton L. Hunter
Superintendent of Schools
Middletown Area School District