So I found out I'm on my schools "Shooting Watch List"

[BJK55123]

Wow, where the hell do they get off rating all students on how likely they are to shoot up the school by their assumed personality? Where do they get their information? How can they really know how a person is just from how they dress or act in class? Doesn't sound like a precaution so much a reason to promote stereotyping.

 

[Exocet]

Atheism shows lack of empathy?
Odd,I recall giving quite a bit to charities and the homeless.Maybe giving the word of god helps more than giving money,if so,I've been pretty useless.

Also,metal=evil of course,and since you like something evil,you MUST be part the gothic movement.I knew those folk metal bands were converting people to become goths...which means....I'm a goth myself! EGADS! HOW DID I NOT KNOW?

I'm curious,what do you think is written down for football team jocks and dumb blonde cheerleader types? If it's any better than what's written down for metalheads,then they can shove all their reports up their [censored].

 

[Littlee300]

Tahts... actually kinda funny. To me at least, just that your school has a list. Though it seems like something you could bring a lawsuit around for, targetting you out on your (lack of) religion, interests, and music.

Id ont know, my high school didnt need a list like that. Everyone could bring their (legal) guns to school, cause I live in a really suburban area where you can go to a rural place in like, five minutes drive, and hunting is huge. People often joked that they would come in and shoot the place (for various reasons). I know I had brought my gun to school once, and more times I had brought other weapons (for hunting). In fact, in the four years of being in my high school, and of its 40 year history, we only had one attempted shooting. it was bad for the kid that tried, cause after three of us (including me) tackled him and made him miss the girl he was aiming for, he got back up and tried again, but wound up getting shot in both knee caps, bringing and keeping him down.

Though, I guess I would be on that list if we had one, just cause I have the capabilities and discipline to kill just about anyone in most anyway, and have a reputation as being hard to kill.

EDIT:
I wonder if they have it (the list) up somewhere online for the parents to see. Like they do with Megan's Law

Interesting. I actually wonder what are the incident rates of shooting in schools like yours that openly allow guns. A part of me suspect that such incidents should be lesser than the general populace due to the simple fact that any idiot rushing in with an intention to kill would most probably meet with substantial firepower resistance.

Hypothesis:
decent people > crazy assholes
unarmed decent people <<>> armed crazy assholes

therefore less shootings lulz.

This would be such a bad idea xD
"Did you just take out my seat?!"
*pulls out ak-47*
"Get the fuck out before I blow your brains out."

On topic though. That is the stupidest thing ever. The craziest people tend to be the ones who act the nicest to adults.

 

[Demonicdan]

Basing your likeleyness to commit murder on grades, music choice andReligion is very odd. I mean if you listed your religion as Satanist then I could understand but...

 

[ChaoticLegion]

So I was called into the office of my high school today to talk to my guidance counselor about college stuff (I'm a senior) and she had all my files and stuff on her desk. There was one folder she never looked at though during the meeting. I asked her about it and she said it wasn't important.

The bell rang and we both got up to leave. I went back to her office once she had left and picked up the folder. It was a report about my "school shooting potential". At my school, apparently, the SSP is based on grades, interests, music choice, and religion. It said this (from what I can recall, I skimmed it)

"Grades: Excellent, excels in science.
Interests: Shows an interest in death and goth culture.
Music Choice: Heavy metal, shows interest in death.
Religion: Atheist, shows lack of empathy.

Comments: Staff are urged to act nicer to NAME to keep him at a stable emotional level."

Which is weird, because I don't have any interest in goth subculture or a death fascination. I do like metal, but so? Also the part about me being an atheist is ridiculous (the school is in a Protestant/Catholic town).

Anyone else think this is a bit weird?

Step 1) Make freedom of information request for information your school holds about you (relevant information regarding the shooting watch list included)

Step 2) Start acting strange around certain teachers you know take this shit seriously, just for shits and giggles, will certainly freak them out.

Step 3)???
Step 4)Profit


Steps 3 and 4 aside, it would certainly be interesting and entertaining to watch 1 and 2.

(On a serious note however, the blantant prejudice for certain cultures aside (being that I am both gothic in several respects and enjoy metal music) the thing about that list that bothers me the most is the sheer idiocy shown towards atheism. The ignorant and self-entitled assumption that only religious people can have a moral compass has been blown out of the water by logical argument many a time, however I shalln't get into it here for fear of de-railing this thread and for the potential flame war that may follow. Suffice it to say, anyone truly interested by either side of the argument, I would advise to read Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion.)

 

[Sum1else]

I find this particularly weird... I fit a lot of these things which show 'school shooting potential' when I was in high school, but yet I'm a pacifist and a Buddhist and wouldn't hurt anyone, but someone i know fit none of them and seriously threatened one of my friends with a knife once... i know that's not the same as shooting up the whole school but still... way to wrongly stereotype people whichever school system this was.

 

[Jaime_Wolf]

So I was called into the office of my high school today to talk to my guidance counselor about college stuff (I'm a senior) and she had all my files and stuff on her desk. There was one folder she never looked at though during the meeting. I asked her about it and she said it wasn't important.

The bell rang and we both got up to leave. I went back to her office once she had left and picked up the folder. It was a report about my "school shooting potential". At my school, apparently, the SSP is based on grades, interests, music choice, and religion. It said this (from what I can recall, I skimmed it)

"Grades: Excellent, excels in science.
Interests: Shows an interest in death and goth culture.
Music Choice: Heavy metal, shows interest in death.
Religion: Atheist, shows lack of empathy.

Comments: Staff are urged to act nicer to NAME to keep him at a stable emotional level."

Which is weird, because I don't have any interest in goth subculture or a death fascination. I do like metal, but so? Also the part about me being an atheist is ridiculous (the school is in a Protestant/Catholic town).

Anyone else think this is a bit weird?

Personally, I wouldn't let this get to me. The only result seems to be that people are being told to act particularly nice to you. How can that possibly be a bad thing?

If you have some ethical qualms about it however, you have several options. First you probably need to find a way to bring the information to light without letting on that you essentially broke in and stole it (which would not look so good). You could schedule a meeting with said counselor, tell them that you heard a rumour that the school keeps a list like that and ask to see your information as you worry that it might be unfairly influencing the opinions of the staff toward you.

Alternatively, or assuming they deny that such information exists, if it's honestly that easy to get hold of it, take a picture or something in the future. If you really want to cause a scene (you probably don't), there are numerous legal defence organisations set up to deal with this sort of thing and press organisations love things like this.

 

[irani_che]

use it, abuse it
it says to be nicer to you
act out a bit, see if they panic

 

[Mandalore_15]

So I was called into the office of my high school today to talk to my guidance counselor about college stuff (I'm a senior) and she had all my files and stuff on her desk. There was one folder she never looked at though during the meeting. I asked her about it and she said it wasn't important.

The bell rang and we both got up to leave. I went back to her office once she had left and picked up the folder. It was a report about my "school shooting potential". At my school, apparently, the SSP is based on grades, interests, music choice, and religion. It said this (from what I can recall, I skimmed it)

"Grades: Excellent, excels in science.
Interests: Shows an interest in death and goth culture.
Music Choice: Heavy metal, shows interest in death.
Religion: Atheist, shows lack of empathy.

Comments: Staff are urged to act nicer to NAME to keep him at a stable emotional level."

Which is weird, because I don't have any interest in goth subculture or a death fascination. I do like metal, but so? Also the part about me being an atheist is ridiculous (the school is in a Protestant/Catholic town).

Anyone else think this is a bit weird?

I would sue. Seriously. Do you need representation?

 

[Togs]

fucking stupid, OP if it was me Id play it up as much as possible, get them properly worried.

Also "Atheist, shows lack of empathy" has got my blood boiling, if any theist wants to know why non believers have such a hard on for ripping faith to shreds this is a textbook example.

 

[angry_flashlight]

So I was called into the office of my high school today to talk to my guidance counselor about college stuff (I'm a senior) and she had all my files and stuff on her desk. There was one folder she never looked at though during the meeting. I asked her about it and she said it wasn't important.

You have them right there. They withheld information about you from you upon your request upon a matter that concerns you (whether the school wants you to be concerned with it or not). Go back to them and request a look into that file. Bring your parents if necessary. You have a right to know information about yourself, withholding that would breech some kind of information law in the area where you live (I don't know the specifics, but I'm pretty sure they cannot withhold something like that if you have the proper request, i.e. parent/guardian).

If they refuse, threaten to shoot the school's guidance councillor office full of legal paperwork (maybe they'll get the hint). Local News may follow upon your discretion.

"Grades: Excellent, excels in science.
Interests: Shows an interest in death and goth culture.
Music Choice: Heavy metal, shows interest in death.
Religion: Atheist, shows lack of empathy.

Comments: Staff are urged to act nicer to NAME to keep him at a stable emotional level."
...
Anyone else think this is a bit weird?

The part about where they're incorrectly profiling you based upon assumptions of stereotypes and imposing moralistic attitudes? Oh yeah, you might have the case for a discrimination suit there, if you can get your hands on the original file before they alter/destroy it to avoid a suit.

Or you could screw with them for a bit. That might be fun too, as long as it doesn't backfire.

 

[Firia]

Anyone else think this is a bit weird?

I sense you're showing a lack of... "emotional connection."

Joking aside, there's two ways I feel you can go about this. One the one hand, I think any one of us would be miffed or offended. "Why have a file about me? Shoot potential? wtf?!" On the other hand, you could be glad that a passive system is in place to assess threat.

When I was in high school, it was in the goth era. There wasn't Emo. Goths were a combo collective of the late 80's punk met with 90's metal. These were the kind of kids that could be dangerous. How do I know? I was one of them. Unrelated to that, I wore a black (all black) trench coat (before the Matrix came out) all the time. It was high school. Whatever. Then Columbine happened. But not just Columbine; several incidences of school shootings were reported. One instance was the "Trenchcoat Mafia," where some dumbasses dubbed themselves that and went on a Comubine style shooting spree. Canada had an incident too, if I recall. Columbine got the press, and it sparked those kids all over that were on the edge.

Afterwards, I was stopped in the halls by School Security (it was a public school, but a nicer public school), and sent to see the councilor. She talked to me, and in a roundabout sort of way, assessed if I was a threat to the school.

Ever since then, schools have looked at school shootings as the worst case scenario. That is their version of a Nuclear Meltdown. They want to avoid it at all costs, and so they ask themselves; "What can we do to prevent this from ever happening?" And really? The best that school districts can hope for is to observe and report. I would guess that in your case, the document and methodology was taken from the advice of a district admin in an area that did have a lot of shootings, and it was implemented in yours. Teachers were asked to asses students if they felt they posed a threat at all. At ALL. It's the nuclear meltdown situation they want to avoid, and it's the best they can do.

Think of it that way, and it's not to bad. It's not like they're grilling you on anything, or stepping on your toes. It's passive, and harmless. If nothing else, there's a document that says, "be nice to this person." I think that's a nice thing to remind people to do now and again... even if it is to avert a shooting.

 

[headshotcatcher]

So I was called into the office of my high school today to talk to my guidance counselor about college stuff (I'm a senior) and she had all my files and stuff on her desk. There was one folder she never looked at though during the meeting. I asked her about it and she said it wasn't important.

The bell rang and we both got up to leave. I went back to her office once she had left and picked up the folder. It was a report about my "school shooting potential". At my school, apparently, the SSP is based on grades, interests, music choice, and religion. It said this (from what I can recall, I skimmed it)

"Grades: Excellent, excels in science.
Interests: Shows an interest in death and goth culture.
Music Choice: Heavy metal, shows interest in death.
Religion: Atheist, shows lack of empathy.

Comments: Staff are urged to act nicer to NAME to keep him at a stable emotional level."

Which is weird, because I don't have any interest in goth subculture or a death fascination. I do like metal, but so? Also the part about me being an atheist is ridiculous (the school is in a Protestant/Catholic town).

Anyone else think this is a bit weird?

The 'shows lack of empathy' doesn't have to be because of your Atheism, mind you. Maybe you give off a mild air of apathy, which combined with heavy/death metal music and clothing really gives off a violent vibe.
Not trying to insult you!

I'd also like to commend you for how maturely you handle this, a lot of different people on this site would've gone like 'WOW OUTRAGE HOW CAN THEY SUSPECT ME, I'LL KILL THEM HURHURRR'

And I'd say it's a good thing that they have a file for that, that means they actually look at the pupils instead of just seeing your grades.

 

[deus-ex-machina]

Consider it pre-emptive. Albeit wrong in your opinion, they can't really ask students if they've ever thought of shooting anyone. It's likely there are trigger interests, including heavy metal, which cause them to class you this way and I wouldn't be surprised if everyone who has ever worn a heavy metal band tee shirt to school has been classified this way.

But on the flip side, even though you're not going to shoot anyone, someone who they think comes across the same way as you do might cause issues. To have the school on alert is probably a good thing.

Think of it this way - how well do teachers at the school know you? They have to go by aesthetics, general attitude and anything you've said. I would probably have been on a high alert status, but that's only because I was sarcastic and liked playing Devil's Advocate in class. Reflect on your attitude and think how strangers would perceive you.

Don't be offended.

Edit: I don't think there has to be a direct correlation with the 'Atheist' and 'shows lack of empathy' comments. They're down as religious views. If you think about it - if this was a general idea they had of atheists, they would just put 'Atheist' with no extra comment as otherwise it would just be assumed all atheists lack empathy. It is likely that you have done something which has given them the impression you lack empathy. It seems silly that a few people have focused on this point.

 

[The Apothecarry]

So this is what schools have come to...

Flip through all the music on my iPod, which ranges from metal (Chevelle, Slipknot, or Disturbed) through J-Pop (MELL, ORIGA) and according to your school I'd probably diagnosed with some form of schizophrenia, and according to their psychology specialist, probably a trans-sexual with father-figure issues.

Is metal about war? Not always. To base the odds of you going on a killing spree on taste in music alone is absurd and insane. At the very least you should tell your parents about this HERESY.

And wearing black shoes does not make you gothic, nor does an interest in death. I don't even know how to define an interest in death.

 

[FateOrFatality]

I hope the OP sues or goes to the media. Teachers with no degree in psychology should not be profiling teenagers based on incorrect or downright flawed attributes.

 

[Trippy Turtle]

i wouldn't mind.... having them be nice to me and all. the religion thing about atheists showing lack of empathy annoyed me.

I'll show you a lack of empathy! *shakes fist*

 

[Sprinal]

Well NICE JOB Congrats.

If my school has a similar list I am at THE TOP of it. Guaranteed.
Music taste Identical
Religion Atheist yet many of the people/teachers at my school are convinced I am into Witchcraft or are a Satanist.
Mindset. Hate Authority unless the Authorities are sort of anarchists
Strong strength in science and maths. (CAKE)
I am actually tolerant of Gays etc.
Also I am fairly familiar with ways to inflict pain and use of torture devices.

Many more but I think that will do it.

Don't worry it happens to everyone.

Interests: Shows an interest in death culture.

Also What is death Culture? I've heard of many subcultures but that one is new to me.

 

[Captain Pancake]

On one hand, people think you're a psychopath when you're not. On the other hand, you're not a psychopath, but people think you are. You could be like Rincewind and his unwarranted infamy for having one of the great spells lodged in his brain.