TikTok Challenge Has Schools On High Alert

The Bristol Press

December 17, 2021

Social media posts nationwide threatening gun violence in schools, specifically for Friday, has area school districts working with local police departments to make sure students remain safe.

The post originated on TikTok and refers to a threat to school safety “for every school in the USA, even elementary.”

There was an additional police presence at Southington High School Thursday following the discovery of a threatening letter earlier this week. However, Steve Madancy, Southington superintendent of schools, said the TikTok threat is not related to the threat at Southington High School.

He did say the school will remain on alert Friday in response to this new threat.

“I was just talking to the police department,” Madancy said. “It's a national trend. The state police don't believe that there is any credibility to it as no threats were made against Connecticut schools directly. But we will have an added police presence tomorrow as well.”

The Consolidated School District of New Britain said Thursday it will work with the New Britain Police Department to respond after being made aware of threats regarding school gun violence.

“We are in close communication with the New Britain Police Department and have been monitoring social media activity,” Superintendent Nancy Sarra said. “As a precautionary measure, there will be an increased police presence at and around our schools (Friday) to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”

Sarra asked parents to speak with their child if they are aware of any known threats and urged parents to reach out to the New Britain Police Department at 860-826-3000 or contact school administrators.

“Please talk with your children about the importance of responsible behavior while using social media, as well as the importance of notifying you, school administration, or the police when such threats are made,” Sarra said. “If you have any immediate concerns, please contact your child’s school or the New Britain Police Department.”

Bristol schools are also working with the city’s police department.

“Bristol Public Schools was made aware of nationwide social media posts that threaten violence in schools on Friday, December 17, 2021,” Superintendent Catherine M. Carbone wrote in a statement. “We shared this information with our families and staff and will continue to work with the Bristol Police Department to monitor the situation. These types of potential threats cause undue stress and anxiety for our students, families and staff. We ask that parents and guardians remain vigilant of their children’s social media activity.”

Plainville Superintendent of Schools Steve LePage said he became aware of the trend and sent an email to local parents on Tuesday. He said he would be sending out another message later in the day Thursday.

“I sent a message asking parents to have a conversation with their kids and explain that, even if they think it is just a prank, it could have serious consequences,” he said. “We haven't had any kind of threats happen in Plainville and hopefully we don't. I wanted to communicate that we usually catch whoever makes these kinds of threats and consequences could include legal action and even expulsion.”

LePage added both the Middle School of Plainville and Plainville High School have school resource officers to protect the schools.

Newington Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maureen Brummett addressed the issue in a letter to parents, staff and Board of Education members Thursday.

“The post appears to be part of a national TikTok trend and did not originate in our school district,” she said in the letter. "We have heard reports from other districts that the same post is circulating in their schools. While the State of Connecticut Intelligence Center does not believe the threat to be credible, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking it seriously.”

Brummett went on to share there will be an increased police presence around all schools during arrival and dismissal on Friday.

“This situation serves as a good example of why it is important to avoid sharing posts online that refer to school safety threats,” she said. "Even if they are not credible threats, they can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for our students, families and staff. We ask our families to monitor their children’s social media activities and speak with them about proper behavior online.”

Brian Falcone, Plymouth superintendent of schools, said he was sending a letter to parents about the situation Thursday afternoon.

“We're trying to inform parents to speak to their children and tell them to make the right decisions,” he said Thursday. “As a district, we take all threats seriously and we are watching this closely."

Falcone said there will be a police presence at local schools.