SUPT. REVIEW OF PROHIBITED ITEMS AT RISD
RISD UPDATE ON FALSE OR TOY WEAPONS ON DISTRICT PREMISES OR PROPERTY
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
Recently, concerns have been raised regarding students bringing toy or fake firearms onto campus, bus, and/or District premises. While most parents and students know and understand the strict prohibitions and severe consequences of bringing real or functional Weapons onto school premises, this letter is designed to remind parents and students that toy, fake, or nonfunctional firearms and weapons are also prohibited from being brought onto campus, bus, or district premises.
The Raymondville ISD Student Code of Conduct (the “Code”) is a document outlining proper student behavior by which all students must abide at all times. The Code contains a list of prohibited items that students shall not possess or use while at school or on the bus. Part of this list is printed below:
Possession of Prohibited Items Students shall not possess or use:
A “look-alike” weapon that is intended to be used as a weapon or could reasonably be perceived as a weapon;
* An air gun or BB gun:
Ammunition:
• A location-restricted knife;
A hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown;
• A firearm;
• A stun gun:
• A pocketknife or any other small knife;
Any articles not generally considered to be weapons, including school supplies, when the principal or designee determines that a danger exists.
As stated in the list above, toy, BB, or fake weapons that look reasonably or somewhat real to an untrained observer are strictly prohibited by the Raymondville ISD Code. This may include water guns, dart guns, foam or "nerf” guns, or any other kind of false, toy, or fake firearm. Parents and students should be aware that it will be a decision for the local police department whether or not a firearm is false, a toy, or real. In other words, be advised that Raymondville ISD will assume that all firearms are real, and that the local police department will be called if your student brings a firearm onto a bus or district premises, even if it is fake, inoperable, or a toy.
Also, be aware that if the police department determines that the student brandished the weapon and/or attempted to convince others that it was real, serious criminal liability could occur for the student even if ultimately the police determine that the weapon was fake or a toy.
If you have further questions about the Raymondville ISD weapons policy, or seek an exception to these rules for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact the office of the Superintendent.
Sincerely,
Stetson Roane Go Bearkats!
