The following message is from Sheridan Preparatory Academy Principal Zuleika Sanchez-Gayle.

Dear Families:

I am writing to let you know that a Sheridan Preparatory Academy student brought a BB gun to school on Monday.

The student showed the BB gun to another student in our after-school program, and the other student reported the incident to an adult. Soon after, district security staff confiscated the weapon, which had BBs in it, and called the Albany Police Department. The student who brought the BB gun to school will be disciplined in accordance with the City School District of Albany’s Student Code of Conduct.

Safety is a top priority at Sheridan Prep and throughout the school district. We work in partnership with law enforcement every day to ensure that security measures are in place to protect the well-being of students, employees and visitors.

In addition, we conduct emergency drills at school throughout the year and regularly discuss safety with students. We tell students they should tell a trusted adult whenever they encounter something that makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened – when you see something, say something. I am so proud of our student who did exactly that.

Your child may hear about the incident and want to discuss it. Elementary children need brief, simple information that is balanced with reassurance that their school is safe and the adults are there to protect them. You may wish to repeat our safety message above and encourage your child to say something if they see something – as our student did today.

If you have any questions about Monday’s incident, please contact me at (518) 475-6850 or zsanchez@albany.k12.ny.us.