Fighting Concerns: Freshmen Blocked From Plaza

On Tuesday, October 20, a fight broke out during first lunch near Señor Chickens and Winchell’s, the restaurants across the street from Grandview. An anonymous freshman who witnessed the brawl said it started when one student pressed another and struck him several times. Students reported that a gun threat followed the fight. In the days after the altercation, the school increased campus security and began conducting ID checks to prevent freshmen from walking to the plaza. Dr. Roberts (Principal) sent a follow-up email regarding the incident.

“We are aware of anonymous tips regarding a possible threat to Grandview today. We share this information with you to be transparent and address any rumours that you might be hearing about the situation. We continue to maintain our safety protocols, and out of an abundance of caution, CCSD security and Aurora Police have increased their presence at Grandview. School is operating on a normal schedule.”

By the end of the day, staff were able to reach the main students involved and “had things isolated.” According to the freshman, multiple videos were sent to the administration regarding the fight.

“I don’t know if the student is getting in trouble or not,” Anonymous said. “I feel like [admin] should know because several people have told me that they’ve submitted videos of [student] verbally threatening to bring a gun. If someone threatens to bring a gun, it should be a suspension. And if they actually do, it should definitely be an expulsion.”

The district deployed extra security, known as Grey Shirts, at the school the following week. Grandview has its own security team of about nine, and the Grey Shirts consist of six to ten individuals.

When a threat is reported, school security conducts a threat assessment. A threat assessment is a process in which a small team reviews the situation to determine next steps. The team includes an administrator, dean, counsellor, mental health specialist, and any necessary law enforcement. Afterward, they evaluate the extent to which the threat may affect students.

“We get small teams together and decide what our next steps are going to be,” Trevor Watrous (Assistant Principal) said. “We determine how credible the threat is. Oftentimes we’re obligated to contact those who were threatened. I don’t think there’s a single situation that’s like the next one. They’re all slightly different.”

Students report conflicting views about their safety at Grandview. Despite this, the administration has clarified that the campus remains secure.

“The gun threat does make me feel unsafe to come to school, especially because I know that there’s been a history with gun threats at this school,” Tatum Brinkley (11) said. “It’s not something you could take lightly at all.”

“I feel a bit unsafe just because, with the kids at this school, I know that there’s a high possibility that someone may actually bring a gun,” Isabella Mensa (11) said.

“The threats make me feel slightly unsafe, but I know that nothing’s happened yet, so it’s not that bad,” Anonymous said.

“I cannot tell a student how to feel,” Watrous said. “What I can say is, I do feel confident about how Grandview High School has handled this situation. I do believe Grandview High School is as safe as it was a week ago.”

Students also have resources that they can access if they ever feel unsafe coming to school. Safe2Tell is an anonymous tip line that is printed on the back of every student-issued ID. Grandview’s security team carefully evaluates every report made.

“Safe2Tell reports come in regularly every week,” Watrous said. “I’m not saying they’re all related to threats, but we get anonymous tips pretty frequently.”

Run by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Safe2Tell started in 2004 as a response to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, becoming a part of the Colorado Department of Law in 2014. Students use this device as a way to report threats, bullying, mental health issues, or other violence-related issues. Watrous has spent over 25 years in education. He stated that this kind of incident, although gradual, has become more common over the years.

“I can’t put a specific number on it, but over the course of my career, instances like this have increased,” Watrous said. “I think it’s been a slow increase, a slow uptick. It’s not exponential.”

“Whether it’s a potential threat of violence or a student struggling with their mental health, getting information to the right people early can make all the difference,” Phil Weiser (Attorney General) said. “Safe2Tell helps prevent dangerous situations from escalating and connects young people with the support they need. Every student deserves to feel safe at school, and I’m grateful to the students and community members who are doing their part to protect one another.”

Fighting Concerns: Freshmen Blocked From Plaza

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