Superintendent Keith Price shares an important message about the impact of rumors and requests parents' assistance in stopping the spread of misinformation.
The following is the text of Mr. Price's message:
Hello GCSD families,
Today, at Georgetown Middle School, we experienced a situation that created unnecessary fear and anxiety for our students, our staff, and our parents. I wanted to share this information with you and ask for your assistance to help prevent incidents like this from occurring in the future.
A conversation between students was overheard this morning and construed as threats being made against schools. Though the threats were reported to the GMS administration and determined to be unfounded, they were embellished and spread rapidly among other students in the school. Through text messaging and social media, the rumors circulated in our community causing heightened anxiety and concern for our families.
Understandably, the impact of the misinformation was felt as a large number of parents immediately went to Georgetown Middle to sign their students out of school.
As a result of this incident and with an understanding of the events that occurred, I am asking all parents to help us in the following 2 ways:
1. Talk with your students about the potential impact that even talking about school shootings can have on a school campus and the consequences that can be administered to those who do. This is a highly sensitive topic at any time and should be discussed with either parents or with school staff so that they can help navigate the discussion safely and appropriately. And
2.. Please do not spread misinformation on social media for incidents such as this without verifying with the school first. If that had happened today, this situation could have been avoided. We have seen what can happen and the impacts it can have when misinformation is spread without validating.
We will have counselors available tomorrow at Georgetown Middle for students and staff who are still having trouble moving beyond the misinformation shared and the panic that it caused.
School safety is a priority for all of us in GCSD and I want to commend the leadership and the staff at Georgetown Middle today for how they responded to the situation. We have procedures in place and we practice drills regularly in order to ensure a safe learning environment on every campus.
Working together collaboratively when information like this is shared, we can lessen disruptions to the school day and better ensure the safety of all students and staff.
Thank You!