Prince George's County, Md. (WUSA9) — Seven students at William Paca Elementary School took blades out of pencil sharpeners and cut themselves at school, according to Prince Georges County school officials.
Officials said the incident happened before spring break. A crisis counseling team came to the school and worked with the families involved.
According to the school district, all students involved were seen by the school nurse and the cuts were not severe enough to call 911.
PGCPS officials said they cannot release additional information to protect students' privacy.
On Wednesday, the school sent a note home with kids signed by Principal Dorothy Clowers. It said, in part, "William Paca Elementary School takes the issues of bullying and harassment very seriously... As the primary instructional leader, please allow me to inform you that we will continue to closely monitor any behaviors that have an adverse effect on the instructional program."
The note also included the resources available for students and families.
The school sent an additional letter to parents on Wednesday.
William Paca ES_4-17-2018 (002) by WUSA9-TV on Scribd
Licensed therapist Dr. Christina E. Casci, MSW, LSW, provided the following tips for parents:
"It's important to have open communication with your children about what occurred. Discuss what happened and their thoughts and feelings surrounding this event. Make sure your children know you're there for them as a support during this difficult time.
Carve out some time to engage in one or more family activities. Go to the park, take your child out for a meal or do something that they particularly enjoy.
Normalize their feelings if they're struggling with what happened. Let them know they're not alone in feeling this way and that others are also having a difficult time.
Don't hesitate to reach out to mental health professionals if you feel your child needs additional supports. Therapists are trained specifically to handle these situations and the school will likely offer clinical support free of charge. Psychology Today's website is also a great resource to locate a therapist and will have listed whether a therapist is in network with your insurance provider."
