School Safety News Digest: Guns on Campus, School Threats, and New Student Safety Data

Editor's Note

Several school districts dealt with gun-related incidents and threats this week, including weapons brought onto campuses, student arrests, and threats targeting multiple schools.

In this edition, we’re also highlighting new federal guidance on swatting threats and recent national data on student safety, health, and well-being.

Below, you’ll find those stories along with additional school safety headlines and related resources.

— Amy Rock
Editor-in-Chief
National Council of School Safety Directors (NCSSD)
School Security Leadership

📈 Trend 1: Gun-Related Incidents in Schools

Several schools and districts have dealt with gun-related incidents in recent weeks, including weapons brought onto campuses, student arrests, and shootings on or near school grounds.

In New York City, three guns were recovered at public schools over a 10-day period. Oklahoma districts have also responded to multiple gun-related student arrests, while a Texas district reviewed its safety and security procedures after an elementary school student brought a gun to campus.

Other recent incidents include a teacher shot by a student at a New Mexico middle school, a weapons incident at a Wisconsin high school, and the fatal shooting of a Houston high school student near campus.

Recent Headlines on Guns and Weapons in Schools

• 3 Guns Recovered at New York City Public Schools in 10-Day Span
• Oklahoma Schools Respond After Multiple Gun-Related Student Arrests
• Texas District Reviews School Safety After Elementary Student Brings Gun to Campus
• Teacher Shot By Student at New Mexico Middle School
• Police Investigate Weapons Incident at Wisconsin High School
• 17-Year-Old Charged in Fatal Shooting of Houston High School Student Near Campus

📚 Related Resource

• Principals Who Experienced Gun Violence Release Updated Guide to Help Schools Recover After Shootings — Developed by school leaders who have experienced gun violence firsthand, the updated guide offers recommendations for school leaders navigating the immediate response and longer-term recovery following a shooting.

📈 Trend 2: Schools Respond to Swatting and Other Threats

Schools and law enforcement have responded to a range of threats in recent weeks, showing the different ways these incidents can surface and disrupt school communities.

In Maryland, Wicomico County Public Schools investigated a threat directed at "all elementary schools," while police in Howard County investigated social media threats involving several schools. Other recent cases include a threat discovered in graffiti at a New Jersey school, alleged verbal threats against two Michigan elementary schools, and a hoax bomb threat made by a middle school student in Tennessee.

Recent Headlines on School Threats

• Wicomico County Public Schools Investigates Threat Against All Elementary Schools
• Howard County Police Investigate Social Media Threats to Several Schools
• 2 N.J. School Districts Rattled by Threats on the Same Day
• Midland County Man Accused of Making Threats Against Elementary Schools
• Minor Charged After Hoax Bomb Threat at Powell Middle School

📚Related Resource

• U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Issue Guidance on Swatting Threats — New federal guidance provides information for schools and law enforcement on preparing for and responding to swatting threats.
• How School Safety Leaders Are Responding to Viral Social Media Trends — Considerations for verifying information, coordinating with law enforcement, communicating with families, and avoiding the spread of misinformation.
• Behavioral Threat Assessment Topic Hub — SSL coverage, research, and resources related to behavioral threat assessment and management in K-12 schools.

📈 Trend 3: New Data Shed Light on Student Safety and Well-Being

Several new reports are offering a closer look at student safety, health, and well-being, as well as some of the challenges schools are seeing among students.

New federal data show violent victimization at school increased among students in 2024. Meanwhile, the CDC reported encouraging movement in several measures of youth health, including declines in persistent sadness and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among high school students, although a significant share of students continue to report struggling.

Another national survey found that school leaders identified student disengagement as a greater concern than violence, pointing to attendance, behavior, and students' connection to school as ongoing challenges.

Recent Headlines on Student Safety and Well-Being

• Violent Victimization at School Rose Among Students in 2024, Federal Data Show
• CDC Data Show Encouraging Progress in Youth Health
• New National Data Finds Disengagement, Not Violence, Is Top School Concern

📰 Additional Noteworthy Headlines

School Safety & Security

• What School Gate Safety Means for Facility Managers
• Richmond County School System Terminates 5 School Resource Officers Following Georgia POST Review
• California K-12 Schools With Military-Style Rifles Don't Always Disclose Them as Law Requires
• Unauthorized Cameras Found in School Auditorium, Raising Questions About How Long They Were There

Transportation Safety

• Survey Highlights Close Calls of Illegal Passing Involving School Bus Riders
• 13-Year-Old Texas Student Dies After School Bus Veers Off Road, Overturns
• Questions Raised After School Buses Drive Through Floodwater in Charleston

Policy & Legislation

• Only Half of Michigan Schools Complying With Safe Firearm Storage Information Deadline
• Gov. Lombardo Grants Emergency Funding Relief to Nevada School Districts
• Senators Introduce Bill to Ban Corporal Punishment in Federally Funded Schools

Athletics & Events

• Texas School Events Face Strict New Police Mandate Under New TEA Rule
• Pennsylvania School Officials Warn Against Unauthorized Drone Use at School Sporting Events

On a Positive Note

• Alabama School Leader Recognized for Strengthening School-Law Enforcement Partnerships

Know of a story, research report, or resource school safety leaders should know about? We'd love to hear from you. Email me at editor@ncssd.org.