Kids threatening my son at school.

[DirtyBlackSocks]

So I'm going to go over what happened, and what I plan on doing - additional advice is appreciated from anyone who is a parent.

Yesterday my 10 year old son came home reporting that one of the kids had marijuana and was showing it to him - we live in a gang member neighborhood, and this particular child who was showing the marijuana is actually 13 - but has been held back numerous times. His parents are split up, and both drug addicts (I have met them both as they live down the street). They've almost had their children taken away for a new born baby they had testing positive for meth at a hospital.

I called the principle and notified her of the situation as soon as I found out about the marijuana. I thoroughly expressed my concern for my own son's safety - and this needed to remain anonymous.

He was called to the principle's office over the loud speaker, had to make up a lie about seeing the nurse when he came back. Now his only friend is being harassed because they think he told. He feels terrible about all of this - which is understandable.

He just now received two voice mails - of whom we know the origin - saying "I'll see you at school tomorrow, you're gonna die" and something inaudible.

Unfortunately his cell phone was off at the time these calls were made, so his history shows no record of who the call was from - but him and these kids have history together, they used to be friends, and I know who it is.

My PLAN is to go straight to the principle tomorrow morning with these voice mails and demand something be done. I've already told my son that doing the right thing is not always easy, and that if he decides to come forward and tell the truth about being the one to tell the principle there is nothing wrong with that.

What I am concerned about is his safety, and being made an outcast at his school. It's a very difficult situation to say the least.

I'm a U.S. Army Vet, and so my views on integrity are probably held to a higher standard than some people. Have I taken this out of line and put my son in danger because of my own personal opinions?

[Jeremy+3]

Why don't you just phone your phone company for the phone number? I've never heard of the number not being available when you have a missed call when your phone is turned off.

[DirtyBlackSocks]

I will be getting the phone records. We are looking for different outlooks on how to handle the situation. I have gotten extremes from call the police to ignore it.

[bssage]

IMO first the principal was out of line. Especially if you urban and living in a gang area like you said. I would complain about that to the board.

I am not a big fan of this.

But I would involve the police.

I might do something different but I dont know where you are or how big is the school ect. Really i dont like any of your options the way I see them.

[Dadu2004]

I agree with bssage.

[mom2many]

I'm gonna give a little different take, not much though but as the kid who grew up in a gang infested area, hung with many of them, could walk the line between both worlds and be comfortable with it, and also be the kid who saw many people die...some friends, some not. And sorry if some of it sounds harsh.

Your integrity could cost your son a lot more then just loosing the occasional friend. I am assuming that these gangs are real and not just wanna be's. While doing the right thing is the right thing at 10 your son is just not old enough to understand all of the ramifications that may come with him stepping up, if he were older then 16 it would be different, at that point he would understand just what could happen. He did the right thing by coming to you, you going to the principal may have put your son in danger,
Let me say I would have most likely done the samething, I would have just made it clear that my child was to stay out of it as much as possible, I also would have never allowed the school to call him out of class, they should know better, this should have been handled after school when less kids are around to put 2 and 2 togather.

But it is to late for that, now is the time to get the police involved at the very least have a report out there of what is going on, now you are going to have to do everything in your childs life to protect him.

[IADad]

^^this

School really bungled this one and you should be really ticked at them.

[Xero]

I agree with what Mom2Many said. The kid threatened your son's life. That's police worthy material... And also... I know this is going to sound really cold and not very understanding, but maybe its time to look for a new neighborhood. :/ I wouldn't want my kids growing up in a neighborhood full of drug addicts and gangs.... Sounds pretty bad.