Threat On Bathroom Wall Prompts OHS Absences

OSWEGO, IL — Oswego High School Principal Mike Wayne said student absences on Tuesday will be excused, noting in an email to parents that the date — Oct. 9 — was found written alongside a threat on boys bathroom walls at the campus last month. "We respect the individual decisions made by some parents and families to keep their students out of school today, so those absences for today will be excused," Wayne said, adding that due to the "large number of calls" the school received, absences may not show up as "excused" on the school's Home Access site for several days.

Director of Communications and Public Relations Theresa Komitas said reports that up to 75 percent of OHS students were absent Tuesday are untrue, putting the number at less than 18 percent.

Last month, Wayne notified parents that threatening messages — including one that listed four first names — were discovered in the restrooms, both including a date of Oct. 9.

On Oct. 1, police arrested a student at OHS in connection with the Sept. 25 threat. The teen, described only as a 16-year-old student, was charged with felony disorderly conduct and subsequently released to his parents.

On Tuesday, Wayne said OHS staff continue to work closely with the Oswego Police Department, adding, "Today we have extra police presence and administrative surveillance in our building. We are confident that our school remains a safe place of learning."

Students who missed school Tuesday will be responsible for missed assignments. Parents were told to contact the OHS attendance office for any absences still listed as "unexcused" by Friday, Oct. 12.

Wayne's letter to parents continued:

Students who were absent (Tuesday) due to safety concerns may still participate in after-school sports, clubs, and activities if they are comfortable doing so.

We will continue to have increased police and administrative presence in our building for the Mr. OHS event this evening, and the homecoming activities planned for this week.

Our Student Services Department is available to support students who experience an increased level of concern while at school. If you have any questions, please reach out to the main office. We thank you for your continued support and ask that you remind your student to always speak up if they see or hear something that doesn’t seem right.

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