Dear Wildcat Community,
I am writing to inform you and not to alarm you. The Carrier Mills-Stonefort School District has been made aware of a circulating TikTok post with a nationwide “school shooting and bomb threats for every school in the USA even elementary” that will supposedly take place on Friday, December 17, 2021. The original post is general and not directed at a specific school. So far, the origins of this post are unknown and there is no indication this post is within the Carrier Mills-Stonefort Grade School or High School.
This information has been shared with our District and school administration, and local law enforcement.
Please know that, in conjunction with local law enforcement, we will continue to monitor social media and will have increased police presence in our communities. There are no indications of known threats within the Carrier Mills-Stonefort School District at this time. I am sharing this notice out of an abundance of caution and as a precautionary measure.
As a reminder, today is an early dismissal day for students (1:45 pm) and the last day before Christmas Break.
The safety of our students and staff is our priority. All safety concerns to our school or students are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Since returning to in-person learning this school year, schools nationwide are dealing with school safety concerns that seem to be heightened and causing anxiety, fear and nervousness among our staff and students.
Here are some key points about making good decisions and easing these concerning feelings:
- Be sure to report any concerning message you hear or see in person or online to a trusted adult, school administration or staff member, or police.
- The Safe2Help Illinois is a 24/7 program for students to share school safety issues, find resources to get help and find encouragement to help others. Reports can be submitted here.
- Please do not promote social media rumors, instead, tell us.
- If you feel uncomfortable about something you read, something you hear, something you see please, report it so we can do something about it.
- Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, e-mailing, online gaming and using webcams.
The Carrier Mills-Stonefort School District is committed to keeping our schools a safe place for learning, and we will work together to continue to keep it that way.
Please don’t hesitate to contact school administration if you have any questions or concerns.
Your Partner in Education,
Mr. Bryce K. Jerrell, Superintendent