image description
School officials and police are investigating a student who brought a pellet gun to Hoosac Valley High School.
Updated November 16, 2015 08:41PM

Hoosac Valley Student Found With BB Gun on Campus

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

CHESHIRE, Mass. — A middle school student is facing consequences after bringing what administrators are calling a bb gun to Hoosac Valley Middle and High school on Monday.

Hoosac Valley Principal Jeremiah Ames on Monday afternoon said a student reported to a faculty member at about 10:40 a.m. that another student had brought a weapon to school. All students and faculty involved were immediately met with, and the Cheshire Police were contacted.

Ames said it was determined that a student had brought air-powered pellet gun to school; the pistol was not loaded.

Superintendent Kristen Gordon on Monday night said the student had no plans to use the weapon or threaten anyone with it.

"There was no malice behind the student taking the bb gun to school," she said. "The student was a middle school student, and he simply didn't think about why he shouldn't have brought it. It was not loaded but there certainly will be severe consequences for bringing it to school."

The principal said the school was in "soft lockdown" for 12 minutes while administration and police scanned the building for other possible weapons.

"After consulting with district administration and law enforcement and determining that the school was secure, there was no reason to dismiss students early," Ames said.

Ames added that the student who brought the pellet guns was dismissed from school. The consequences have not yet been determined but expulsion has not been ruled out.

Gordon said the gun and the boy were held during the lockdown and everything went smoothly.

"Bravo to the student who told the faculty about the bb gun," Gordon said. "They got it immediately with no issues."

He declined provide the name of the student or provide further detail.

An "all call" was sent out to parents and guardians at the end of the school day explaining the incident and an emergency faculty meeting to brief employees was to be held after school.

Ames said the school district administration continues to investigate and communicate with the families involved.

Gordon added that the district attorney's office will send representatives to the middle school specifically to explain to students what is not appropriate to bring to school.

Updated to include comments by the superintendent at 8:41 p.m.


Tags: firearms,   HVHS,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Adams Free Library Pastel Painting Workshops

ADAMS, Mass. — Award-winning pastel artist Gregory Maichack will present three separate pastel painting workshops for adults and teens 16+, to be hosted by the Adams Free Library. 
 
Wednesday, April 24 The Sunflower; Wednesday, May 8 Jimson Weed; and Thursday, May 23 Calla Turned Away from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  
 
Registration is required for each event.  Library events are free and open to the public.
 
These programs are funded by a Festivals and Projects grant of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
 
This workshop is designed for participants of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Attendees will create a personalized, original pastel painting based on Georgia O’Keefe’s beautiful pastel renditions of The Sunflower, Jimson Weed and Calla Turned Away. All materials will be supplied. Seating may fill quickly, so please call 413-743-8345 to register for these free classes.
 
Maichack is an award-winning portraitist and painter working primarily in pastels living in the Berkshires. He has taught as a member of the faculty of the Museum School in Springfield, as well as at Greenfield and Holyoke Community College, Westfield State, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
View Full Story

More Adams Stories