In a letter dated Sept. 19 and addressed to District 161 students, parents and staff, Superintendent Dana Smith informed the community of a “TikTok video circulating with threatening language against Parker Junior High School.”
“We received a report from the Safe2Help tipline,” Smith wrote. “After investigating the incident with the Flossmoor Police Department, we were not able to locate any video evidence of the threat or any usernames, etc. that would be useful.”
Smith also included in his email details about a “picture circulating in a ‘6th grade group chat’ that is not threatening to Parker, but it does show the picture from the threat to Grissom Middle School, from September 15, 2024.” Smith said the letter included “wording stating that the person was worried about Parker and returning to school.”
Smith wrote that the image alarmed some students and parents and is “grateful to courageous students” who reported the photos to their parents. He stressed that the district takes all of these reports seriously.
According to the letter, Parker’s principal, Ursula Parris, and her team discussed the seriousness of online threats with students.
“It is important for the students to know that we prioritize their safety and the steps to take if they see a threat against PJHS or any other school Smith wrote. “While there is no currently available evidence of a threat to PJHS, please expect an increased presence from the Flossmoor Police Department at the school.”
Smith encouraged community members to immediately report any threats to the local police department or a school or district staff member or to call Safe2Help at 1-844-472-3345.
“I am thankful for our students, families and staff members who are committed to the safety of our school community,” Smith wrote in an email to the Chronicle. “It is disappointing that social media posts unrelated to District 161 are creating so much anxiety for our scholars, but I am hopeful that constructive conversations about appropriate social media use will follow at home. We will continue to prioritize the safety and security of our students and schools.”