Latham: Third-grader brings knife to school; trio removed

LYNN – Three third grade students have been removed from Cobbet Elementary School after it was discovered one brought a knife to school.”We had one student who brought a knife to Cobbet prior to the April school vacation,” said Superintendent Catherine Latham in a prepared statement.Latham said when Principal Susanne Garrity became aware of the situation she interviewed the student and two others who were involved, took possession of the knife and reported the incident to the police.Richard Iarrobino, who handles discipline and attendance for the School Department, said the students were subsequently removed from the school and placed in what he called an alternative setting. Latham said that the students were suspended and transferred to other schools within the district “with the full knowledge and support of the receiving principals.””It is obviously very concerning when any student brings a weapon to school and it is particularly disturbing when it involves students so young,” Latham said.Latham praised Garrity for handling the situation with “the utmost professionalism and with the safety and security of all Cobbet students and staff in mind while keeping me and our district staff informed at all times.”Garrity also sent a letter home to parents alerting them to the incident without elaborating on details and assuring them it was dealt with and that the school is safe. The letter also noted that she and the school social worker visited the classroom the students had been in and spoke about safety and she urged parents to have a similar conversation with their children.”We are hopeful that the students involved, with the support of school social workers who are working with them and their parents, understand the seriousness of their actions and will not repeat them,” Latham stated.