Death threat

My daughter received a death threat last week. A student in her class told her he would take a gun from his grandfather's house, bring it to school and shoot her.

My daughter is 4 years old.

I have no doubt that the boy, who said he would conceal the weapon in the show and tell bag and shoot her during show and tell time, will not follow through with his threat. But my daughter was scared, and that is not acceptable.

I have heard in national news how kids are being suspended or even expelled for such threats, and I, like others, shake my head and ask, "What is this world coming to?"

I feel a little more strongly now. Kids shouldn't be scared to come to school. Classmates should taunt with "My dad is stronger than your dad" not, "I am going to shoot you."

And there is no use blaming the public school system; she goes to a private pre-school with great staff and sound policies.

Still her teacher didn't seem sure what to do about. The two children have had problems in the past. He teases her for bringing her blanket to school, he throws things at her from the sensory table. And I am sure she shouts at him, if she is anything at school like she is at home. But death threats cross the line.

Kids shouldn't be aware of the location of guns in homes. In an ideal world they wouldn't even be aware of guns. But that isn't the world we live in. Even in small-town Fairmont kids are scared to go to school, and I am sure mine isn't the only one.

I have assured my daughter she is safe, and today, I am sure she is. But my fear is that I really can't be sure, not really, that what has happened all over the country won't happen here.