Fourth grader brought marijuana to school

A Columbia fourth grader brought drugs to Shepard Boulevard Elementary School on Tuesday.

It was during recess that the child pulled out a partial marijuana cigarette according to the principal.

The child then asked two other students to smell it.

“That was shocking to us. We have never had that situation before at Shepard,” said Jacquie Ward, the principal of Shepard Elementary.

After school officials were notified of what was happening on the playground, the school took immediate action and called the police.

A letter was also sent to all of the fourth grade parents.

The letter detailed what had happened during recess stating “a student made a poor choice of bringing a partial marijuana cigarette to school.”

“It was an isolated incident and it was just at fourth grade recess so that is why I sent it to just the fourth grade parents,” said Ward.

One grandparent ABC 17 News talked with on Thursday said that even though she does not have a fourth grader, she would have liked to been aware of the situation.

“I think they should have let everyone know because it is a serious thing that shouldn’t happen,” said Dianna Lowery who’s grandchild attends Shepard Elementary.

Ward told ABC 17 News the school understood the seriousness of the situation and that is whey the child who brought the marijuana is suspended for the rest of the week.

“We don’t want our kids to be exposed to stuff like that, we are very protective,” said Ward.