Safety protocols activated at Watertown Middle School over ‘concerning list’ made by student

Safety protocols at Watertown Middle School were activated last week after officials became aware of a “potentially concerning list” made by a student. 

“Administrators and staff became aware of a potentially concerning list that a student compiled,” Superintendent Dede Galdston said in a statement on Thursday. “After an investigation by the WMS administration and in consultation with our School Resource Officer, it was determined that at no point was there a credible threat to anyone’s safety.”

In a statement to families on Thursday, Principal Jennifer Chen Fein said that administrators learned the student made a list of “people they were frustrated or annoyed with” but determined the intention of the student was not to cause harm.

“We have been working with the student and their family, who have been cooperative, to ensure their well-being and the safety of our community,” Fein said. “Earlier [Thursday] afternoon, WMS administrators made phone calls to every caregiver of a student whose name was on the list to inform them.”

The school was making its counseling team available to any student feeling anxious or overwhelmed following the incident.

“Protecting the emotional and physical well-being of our students is at the forefront of all that we do, and we endeavor every day to ensure a safe and nurturing environment,” Galdston  said.

The district is holding a meeting for the community on Tuesday evening to answer questions following the incident.

Dialynn Dwyer

Dialynn Dwyer is a reporter and editor at Boston.com, covering breaking and local news across Boston and New England.

 

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