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Joliet Public Schools District 86 announced just after 10:30 a.m. that the Joliet Police Department identified the source of the social media threats which moved schools to e-learning Monday and that they had been deemed “not credible.”
This means students will return to in-person classes on Tuesday.
“We thank the Joliet Police Department for their thorough investigation,” District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse said in the statement. “While this situation presented no danger to anyone, it is another opportunity for me to remind you of your important role in assisting us in providing a safe school environment for our students and staff. Safety remains our top priority and we take all threats seriously.”
Rouse asked parents to discuss social media safety and privacy with their children and to make an effort to monitor students’ devices and accounts. She also urged parents check their children’s belongings before sending them to school and instructed students to notify staff if they see a classmate with unauthorized or potentially dangerous items.
Due to a threat circulating about students bringing weapons to several schools in Joliet this week. all Joliet District 86 schools were closed Monday, and went to their e-learning program.
“The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. All students should log onto their devices at their regular school starting time. Attendance will be taken,” District 86 said in a statement released Sunday night.
Families are encouraged to go to the District 86 website at https://www.joliet86.org/e-learning/ for more details.
Students attending Joliet Central and West high schools on Monday will be searched following a social media threat claiming schools in the city will have two students “with a weapon inside each school.”
On Sunday evening, Joliet Township High School District 204 officials have become aware of a social media threat saying all schools in Joliet will have “[two] students with a weapon inside each school.”
The Joliet Police Department is investigating the incident.
“Out of an abundance of caution we will search all students as they enter school tomorrow,” district officials said.
An image circulating on Facebook said “me and my group are sending [two] students with a weapon inside each school.” The post listed Central, West, the four junior high schools within Joliet Public Schools District 86, and Troy District 30-C.