The Escanaba, Gladstone, Bark River-Harris, Rapid River, Mid Peninsula, and Hannahville Schools are all closed today due to “National tit-tok challenge” school threats.
The challenge suggests numerous school shootings will take place today.
Police across the country have said they’ve received no evidence that the threats are credible, but school officials are taking heightened safety measures as a precaution in the wake of last month’s deadly shooting at Oxford High School near Detroit.
Initially, some schools were going to continue with classes, including Mid Peninsula, where Superintendent Eric VanDamme sent out a Facebook message urging parents to secure their weapons, and to talk to their kids about “making good choices and not making threats on social media”.
Later, however VanDamme changed course.
“After my earlier post, I was flooded with calls excusing students for tomorrow due to concern. Out of an abundance of caution, Mid Peninsula School will be closed Friday, December 17th.”
In Escanaba, a similar message.
“Due to rumors now circulating regarding a threat against Escanaba Schools, we will be closed on Friday, December 17, 2021 out of an abundance of caution as we work with Public Safety to investigate. More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available”, the Escanaba Facebook post read late Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Escanaba had a different statement:
“We want to reassure our parents that our schools follow strong security protocols and collaborate actively with Public Safety in order to ensure the safest possible environment for our students. Tomorrow, as always, our staff will actively work to make certain children remain out of harm’s way.”
In Gladstone and Rapid River, classes were also cancelled after officials initially said they were working with police to ensure kids’ safety.
The girls basketball game between Rapid River and Bark River-Harris, and the boys basketball game between Bark River-Harris and Stephenson, are both cancelled.
At last word, Manistique Schools planned to continue on with classes. The Big Bay deNoc Schools also planned to continue on with classes, posting:
“Although school staff are aware and local law enforcement are vigilantly monitoring and NO direct threat has been made toward Big Bay de Noc School, we would encourage all parents to monitor your children and their online activity as well. We will continue to prioritize the safety of our students.”
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