News and Notes from Mr. Cassie
Hello Carlson and Shumate Families,
It has come to our attention that there was a social media message shared out late this evening regarding a threat to a middle school and high school. Because of the nature of social media, many students perceived that this threat was made toward Shumate and Carlson. An unfortunate reality is that there are circumstances and events that are outside of our control as a district. One of these realities includes the ability for individuals to post and share information on the internet and specifically social media websites. This issue has become more prevalent recently with many copycat messages being created and shared regarding school violence.
Late this evening, we received contact from some parents and our Gibraltar Police Department about a post being shared on social media (specifically Snapchat) regarding a threat to the middle and high school. The post was not specific to location, district or even building. There are hundreds of districts in Michigan alone and thousands across the nation that have a middle school and a high school. Several other downriver school districts including Allen Park, Southgate, and Wyandotte had students and families exposed to the same message.
The Gibraltar Police Department, along with the other local authorities from the districts mentioned, have assured us that they would continue to monitor the posting and would work alongside administration to investigate this particular shared post. We also agreed to have an increased police presence at the middle school and high school throughout the day.
If at any time we felt that a credible threat was being made against either of our buildings, we would have released information immediately followed with an appropriate plan of action. A critical component in maintaining a safe and secure community is collaboration. We ask that you continue to monitor your student(s) social media sites as well as your own for any information that you feel should be shared with the proper authorities and administration. Also, please have a conversation with your student(s) regarding the importance of speaking up when they see or hear things that may present a danger. Finally, please discuss with your children the implications and possible consequences of threatening language. A well-informed community is a stronger community.
We take the security and safety of our students and staff members very seriously and want to ensure everyone that any threat or action toward our buildings will be handled immediately and full prosecution under the law will be recommended.
Yours in Learning and Safety,
Jessica Shultz and Eric Cassie