Increased police presence, student absences as DeKalb County schools responded to national TikTok threat

A threat of violence against schools nationwide circulated on social media platform TikTok Friday, resulting in increased security measures, decreased attendance and excused absences for DeKalb County school districts.

Minerva Garcia-Sanchez, superintendent for DeKalb School District 428, wrote in an email sent to staff Thursday night and families Friday morning the district recently learned about the anonymous threat, which was toward all U.S. schools, declaring Friday as “American School Shooting Day.”

“The posts warn about the possibility of nationwide shootings or bomb threats associated with this day,” Garcia-Sanchez wrote in the email. “We will maintain vigilance and constant contact with our police chief to ensure utmost safety.”

DeKalb High School Principal James Horne said Friday school staff caught wind of the threat on Thursday and worked with administration and the DeKalb Police Department to help address related safety concerns. He said district technology staff searched for related activity through the school’s internet network. There was also an increased police presence at all school buildings Friday.

“We didn’t have anything to tie it to DeKalb or DeKalb High School,” Horne said. “However, we were making sure that the presence was there on campus.”

Horne said staff reassured students that they were aware of the rumors and that students were safe. However, attendance was light on Friday. He said 250 students in total either left the building after first or second period, or decided not to come to school at all.

“The district has made the decision to make this an excused absence,” Horne said.

Horne said a national social media threat instead of just a geographical one is unprecedented, and said school shootings are real concerns, especially in DeKalb County, referencing the 2008 Northern Illinois University shooting which left five dead and 17 others injured.

Horne said he thinks the decision to make Friday an excused absence is one done out of compassion.

“I think it does have a significant impact on our community,” Horne said.

Sycamore School District 427 Superintendent Steve Wilder said attendance looked normal districtwide Friday. However, the district also opted for mass communication and increased police and administration presence on school grounds.

“I think there was a heightened sense of awareness today,” Wilder said. “But thankfully there were no issues reported in any of our buildings.”

Hiawatha School District 426 Superintendent Jared Poynter wrote in a Friday email district officials were made aware of the situation Thursday afternoon. He wrote district officials sent written correspondence to district staff and families, and implemented increased law enforcement presence on campus.

Poynter wrote the district’s counseling department also had social emotional support available for students and staff.

“Students and parents were very cooperative and understanding,” Poynter wrote.

Indian Creek School District 425 superintendent Chad Willis said the district analyzed the threat and also requested increased police presence, but did not notify families. About 10 students were kept from by their parents, he said.

“No communication was sent to the parents since it was not deemed credible,” Willis wrote in an email to the Daily Chronicle. “In an abundance of caution and to help ensure the safety of our students and staff, the district requested increased presence from the Waterman Police Department and Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department. Both departments were visible at the beginning and during the day.”

He said the presence was made easier because students are used to seeing officers from both departments frequent district buildings, and there were no issues reported.

Genoa-Kingston School District 424 notified families of extra precautions taken Friday, said Superintendent Brent O’Daniell.

“We sent a letter,” O’Daniell wrote in an email. “In essence it stated we were aware of the rumors but that it was just a rumor. Even so, we asked for a police presence in the district and our local [police department] obliged.”

Horne said students have shown focus and resilience on Friday despite the recent events. He said he wants to reassure the community that school officials are working to keep kids safe.

“Anyone can post anything online,” Horne said. “That doesn’t necessarily make it a fact.”

Friday’s threat is the latest in a slew of TikTok trends which have gained traction nationally in the past few months, some of which encouraged students to vandalize school property or harass teachers. Wilder called the phenomenon frustrating.

“I think this is the most serious of the challenges,” Wilder said.

Wilder said he wants to urge parents to be aware of the social media trends and to keep having conversations at home about social media use, encouraging students to make smart decisions.