A Michigan district’s Facebook post has become all too familiar to exasperated administrators since the Oxford High School shooting: “Due to another threat, Lakeshore Schools will be closed again today, December 15.”
The district was also closed Tuesday as police investigated a written threat found in a bathroom on Monday, ABC57.com reported. “Please make sure your children understand that we take all safety concerns seriously; there are no jokes or pranks,” Lakeshore Public Schools said about that incident on Facebook.
“Thank you Lakeshore for keeping everyone safe! This needs to stop!!! Kids getting back to somewhat of a normalcy and now being ripped away again by this! People need to ‘do better’!” one commenter said on Facebook.
In Oxford, where four students died in a shooting at the high school on Nov. 30, the entire district has shifted to remote learning for the rest of week after shutting down on Tuesday even though police have declared the buildings safe. “Many in our community have expressed concern surrounding yesterday’s threat and do not feel ready to return,” the district said on its website. “This has caused us to pause and consider the current needs and emotional well-being of our school community. Therefore, we have decided to close all district school buildings for the remainder of the week.”
More than 10,000 people have signed a student-led petition to close all schools in nearby Oakland County, Michigan, through winter break as online threats overwhelm districts in the wake of the Oxford High School tragedy.
Threats are being posted coast to coast
“These widespread threats have induced fear and taken an emotional toll on all students, making in-person learning essentially useless,” the petition says.
In New Mexico, Cuba ISD has moved to remote learning for the rest of the semester (which ends Dec. 17) due to a threat that is being investigated by local, state and tribal police agencies. “All involved in this serious incident will be dealt with in accordance with all policies and laws,” the district said on its website.”We are informing you of everything we legally can without violation of anyone’s rights, at the same time ensuring that we are dealing with this very serious matter.”
After receiving a threat Tuesday, Manitou Springs middle and high schools in Colorado closed Wednesday on the recommendation of local police.
A middle school in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, moved to virtual instruction on Wednesday after district administrators received a third threat within nine days, Patch.com reported. A high school student is facing criminal charges in relation to the threats made last week, according to Patch.com.
Elsewhere, a district in the New York City suburbs shifted to remote learning on Tuesday due to threats against a high school, News12.com reported. And police in Utah announced two teenagers are facing charges after a threat shut down several buildings in the Box Elder School District earlier this week.
