On Sep. 16, a message posted by Fayette County Public Schools on Friday, Sep 13 at 11:01 AM in Bennetts Mill Middle School, Fayette County High School, Flat Rock Middle School, J. C. Booth Middle School, McIntosh High School, Rising Starr Middle School, Sandy Creek High School, Starr’s Mill High School, Whitewater High School and Whitewater Middle School was sent out to ParentSquare titled “Addressing Fake Threats in Our Schools.”
According to 11Alive, “Almost every day since the shooting inside Apalachee High School on September 4, law enforcement agencies have announced the arrest of multiple students tied to school threats… The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) confirmed to 11Alive this week that in the 48 hours following the school shooting in Winder, 24 teenagers were booked into their detention facilities.”
Here is the message in full:
“Dear Fayette County Public Schools Families:
This school year we have investigated at least seven threats against our schools. These threats have been a mix of social media postings, including reposts of rumored threats, verbal statements and written messages.
Any threat, regardless of intent, is treated seriously. Threats involving school shootings or violence, even those made as a joke or in passing, are investigated thoroughly by school administrators with the assistance of the school resource officer and sometimes local law enforcement.
These investigations are lengthy, and they put a strain on school and law enforcement resources, causing personnel to take time from other duties. Fake threats can greatly affect absentee rates and anxiety, and have a profound impact on our children, schools and community.
This week our middle and high school principals are visiting classrooms to talk directly to students about safety plans, the impact of threats on the school, the penalties for making them, and what they can do to help by communicating with trusted adults.
As parents, you play a critical role in helping us maintain a safe school environment. Please remind your child of the seriousness of making any kind of threat, including verbal, written, posting rumors or reposting threats. The consequences, even if the person believes it to be a harmless prank, can include:
- Criminal Charges: Individuals making threats, even in jest, may face serious criminal charges that can lead to arrest and prosecution.
- School Disciplinary Action: In addition to legal consequences, students who make threats will be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, this may include suspension or expulsion.
- Long-Term Impact: Making threats, even jokingly, can affect a student’s future, including their ability to attend college, gain employment, or participate in other opportunities.
Please remind your child about the importance of reporting any threats. If they see or hear something, they should immediately notify an administrator, teacher or staff member.
Working together, we will continue to do everything in our power to keep our students and staff safe.
Thank you for your trust and support of Fayette County Public Schools.”
