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December 16, 2021

Dear School District of Philadelphia Families,

Since the onset of the pandemic, The School District of Philadelphia and other districts across the country have seen an increase in threats of violence circulating on various social media platforms, including Tik Tok. Currently, there is a video circulating on Tik Tok nationally, encouraging violence in schools on Friday, December 17, 2021.

Please know that we take each and every threat directed towards our schools and members of our school communities very seriously. Our Office of School Safety works with law enforcement agencies to closely monitor the situation, actively assess any threats to our schools, and respond immediately as needed to help keep our schools, students and staff safe. This could include additional safety resources being placed in and around schools. Our principals and school staff also become extra vigilant to help identify anything that may be out of the ordinary.

Maintaining the safe school environments our students and staff deserve takes all of us working together. Here’s how you can help:
● If you hear or read about any threat of violence in your child’s school, please share the information with school leaders or the Office of School Safety by calling 215-400-6000.
● Talk to your child about the importance of letting you know when they learn of any threats of violence at school, and of not participating in or promoting any threats of violence.

Posting threatening language on social media is no laughing matter. Doing so violates the Student Code of Conduct and in many cases the law, both of which can result in very real and significant consequences for students engaging in these behaviors. Supporting the safety and well-being of our students and staff is one of our most important shared responsibilities.

By working together, we can help deter these threats and the emotional impact they cause so our schools can continue to focus on helping our students heal, learn and grow.

Sincerely,

The School District of Philadelphia Office of Communications