Boy, 8, arrested after attacking principal with wooden pole

By Brent Killackey

Friday, April 22, 2005 2:06 AM CDT

RACINE - An 8-year-old Julian Thomas Elementary School student attacked and seriously injured the school's principal with a wooden pole Thursday morning.

Principal Angela Ress Apmann was "somewhat responsive" after being struck in the upper body and head several times, according to police. She was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in Racine where she was treated and released for multiple lacerations.

The incident was reported to the Racine Police Department at about 8:30 a.m., prior to the start of the school day, Sgt. William Macemon said.

Apmann approached the student when she saw him carrying a large pole - about 28 inches long and 1� inches in diameter - on school grounds, Macemon said. When she went to take away the pole, the boy started swinging it at her. The boy struck Apmann several times before he was subdued by other staff members.

The pole, recovered by police, was broken into three pieces.

The boy was being held Thursday at the Racine County Juvenile Detention Center. He told police he brought the pole from home as protection from other students, but did not explain why he attacked Apmann, Macemon said.

Precautions were taken at the Julian Thomas on Thursday, said Linda Flashinski, Unified's director of communication and public affairs.

Outside doors were locked and students remained in their classrooms, except for specialty classes, Flashinski said. There were no recesses and students ate lunch in classrooms. A crisis counselor was available for students and staff.

"Dr. Ann Laing, assistant superintendent for elementary education, spent the day at Julian Thomas to oversee and assist staff and students through the day," Flashinski said.

A letter was sent home with Julian Thomas students noting Thursday's incident, Flashinski said.

"The cooperation and assistance of the Police Department and the staff in the building was phenomenal and assisted with returning the school to normal in a smooth as fashion as possible," Flashinski said. "The safety of the students was secure at all times."

On Thursday, students in the Racine Unified School District had an early release day, which means dismissal was earlier than usual for districtwide staff

training.

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