UPDATED Wednesday, February 27, 2013 --- 2:19 p.m.

Incident Report from the Madison Police Department:

Incident Type: Found Property

Incident Date: 02/27/2013 - 8:25 AM

Address: 221 Meadowlark Dr. (John F. Kennedy Elementary School)

Details: This morning, a student found a spent bullet shell on the grounds of Kennedy Elementary School, 221 Meadowlark Dr. The casing was on top of fresh snow. There have been no reports of shots being fired near the school; however, there have been past incidents where ammunition has been left on its grounds.

The principal is sending a letter home to parents advising of the latest discovery. The Madison Metropolitan School District and the MPD continue to work in close partnership on these cases.

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UPDATED Monday, December 17, 2012 --- 4:45 p.m.

Letter sent home to parents of Kennedy students:

Dear Kennedy Families:

It is important to us that we keep Kennedy families informed of events which happen at our school. In that spirit, it is with disappointment that I inform you that during the before school recess several live shells of ammunition were found on our playground. I know given the recent national events that this is very concerning to everyone.

We immediately had the students come inside as well as contacted the police and our MMSD Security Office. Our staff and students did an excellent job in coming inside quickly and efficiently. We are working closely with the Madison Police Department and all MMSD schools will be receiving increased visibility and police patrols.

Nevertheless, we’re concerned about the possibility of our students finding live ammunition. Please talk with your child(ren) and reinforce the importance of not touching it and that they immediately inform you or a trusted adult of their findings. Please also help us reassure your children that our school is a safe place to learn. They look to the trusted adults to take care of them.

We will continue to implement our safety plans here at Kennedy. As you might expect given the recent tragedy MMSD is carefully reviewing our safety practices. Safety at our schools continues to be a on-going focus in our district. Please refer to Interim Superintendent Jane Belmore’s message on the MMSD website for further information of the steps MMSD is/has taken around safety and talking with you children.

Again, the timing of this is difficult. I want to assure you that in our work at Kennedy we are diligent in maintaining a secure and safe school environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Finally, it is my hope that you and your family have a great winter break.

Sincerely

Nancy Caldwell
Principal

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UPDATED Monday, December 17, 2012 --- 1:55 p.m.

Incident Report from the Madison Police Department:

Incident Type: Found Property

Incident Date: 12/17/2012 - 8:25 AM

Address: 221 Meadowlark Dr. (John F. Kennedy Elementary School)

Details: This morning the MPD was dispatched to the playground of John F. Kennedy Elementary School, 221 Meadowlark Dr., after students found bullets near a basketball court. Officers recovered numerous live rounds. Similar discoveries took place at the school twice in November of 2011(See reports below).

The MPD will be increasing patrols in the area of the school, and the principal is sending a note home to parents.

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UPDATED Thursday, November 17, 2011 --- 12:50 p.m.

From the Madison Police Department:

Incident Type:
Found Property

Incident Date:
11/17/2011 - 7:38 AM

Address:
221 Meadowlark Dr. (outside John F. Kennedy Elementary School)

Details:
The Madison Police Department is looking for citizen help in trying to identifying the person, or persons responsible for leaving ammunition outside of an east side elementary school.

A staff member discovered multiple rounds of live .22 caliber bullets in front of Kennedy Elementary School, 221 Meadowlark Dr., around 7:40 a.m. this morning, prior to the arrival of students.

Last week, on the morning of November 7th, a Kennedy custodian found multiple rounds of .22 caliber bullets behind the school.

The MPD is working in partnership with the Madison Metropolitan School District on these cases.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 266-6014. Callers can remain anonymous and maybe eligible for up to a $1,000 reward.

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UPDATED Monday, November 7, 2011 --- 3:35 p.m.

The following is the letter sent home to parents of students at Kennedy Elementary School:

Dear Kennedy Elementary Families:

I am writing to inform you of a safety related incident that occurred today, November 7, 2011. At approximately 6:00 a.m. our school custodian discovered some live ammunition on and around our school playground and he immediately contacted the police. A consequent search of the grounds was conducted and eventually over 200 .22 caliber rounds were recovered from the asphalt area near and around the basketball courts.

Our school developed a plan that consisted of the following actions:
• Directed arriving students away from the playground and into an indoor recess area
• Had teachers read a prepared statement to students regarding the danger of playing with ammunition and directing them to not touch any bullets found on the grounds but to tell an adult
• Staff conducted an additional sweep of the grounds to ensure all ammunition had been recovered

The Madison Police Department is continuing their investigation, but at this point there is no indication that any weapon was actually fired on our school grounds or that there is any threat to the safety of our school. Nevertheless, we’re concerned about the possibility of our students finding live ammunition and ask that you reinforce the importance of not touching it and that they immediately inform you or a trusted adult of their findings.

I want to assure you that in our work at Kennedy we are diligent in maintaining a secure and safe school environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely

Nancy Caldwell
Principal

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Posted Monday, November 7, 2011 --- 10:10 a.m.

Incident report from the Madison Police Department:

Incident Type:
Found Property

Incident Date:
11/07/2011 - 6:09 AM

Address:
221 Meadowlark Dr. (Kennedy Elementary School)

Details:
This morning, a Kennedy Elementary School custodian discovered numerous rounds of live .22 caliber ammunition in the playground area.

There were no reports of shots being fired over the weekend.

School officials are advising students of the discovery, and warning them not to touch any bullets if additional rounds are found. However, they should tell a trusted adult.