WRENTHAM - Trying to reassure parents worried about their children's safety, King Philip Regional High School is combating rumors that a student brought a gun to school last week.

Superintendent Richard Robbat sent parents a letter Friday addressing some of the rumors that he said have circulated, sometimes in media reports, about the alleged incident on Nov. 8.

The rumors range from ammunition being "found in or with the gun" to school attendance dropping because parents are concerned about their children's safety.

"The student who allegedly had the gun was rumored to be returning to school (Wednesday)," Robbat wrote. "This is inaccurate, as the student in question currently is out of state."

The 15-year-old Plainville resident is in a juvenile detention facility in Rhode Island until at least December, Wrentham police say. Principal Elaine Hanson said she discussed the rumors with students and staff on Thursday.

She also reviewed the school's lockdown procedures.

Hanson said she has seen "no indication from the majority of students or staff that they felt afraid" since the allegations became public late last week.

"Our attendance has been exactly the same," Hanson said.

Wrentham police said Wednesday that some parents said they were keeping their children home from school because of the reported incident.

Police also said students appeared afraid, too.

One parent told The Sun Chronicle on Friday he was concerned about his son's safety, even though police say the Smith & Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic pistol allegedly shown at the school is at the state police crime lab.

"Is it possible that this boy could pick up another firearm if he's allowed entry back into school?" said the parent, who requested not to be identified.

He also said copycats are a potential threat.

The parent said he spoke to his son about the incident. "What I get from him is that the kids are confused because they don't have any information, either," he said.

Hanson said "a total meltdown of our e-mail this week" delayed letters going out to parents.

The initial letter was dated Tuesday but went out Wednesday. Robbat's letter is dated Thursday but went out Friday.

Hanson said she first learned about the gun from a student the morning after the weapon was allegedly seen in school. She then told School Resource Officer Barry McGrath, who launched the police investigation.

"Other than the report from one student, we didn't have anything to send out," Hanson said.

The school was closed the next day in observance of Veterans Day.

"It's one of those things where everything that can go wrong, does," Hanson said. "Would we have liked it to be out sooner? Certainly."

MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0372 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.