GES : TikTok Challenge

Press release from Gladwyne Elementary School:

2021-12-16

Superintendent Dr. Khalid N. Mumin shared the letter below with families on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021

Dear LMSD Families,

As you know, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We recently became aware of a TikTok-based challenge threatening violence against schools nationwide for tomorrow, December 17, 2021. We have shared information about this TikTok challenge with the Lower Merion Police Department. The Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center (PaCIC) has been notified as well.

LMPD has stated, "We do not have any indication of a credible threat to our schools at this time. Out of an abundance of caution, we will increase our presence at our public schools tomorrow." Our District is grateful to LMPD for their ongoing support in keeping our school community safe.

Threats of this nature can lead to "copycat" behavior. Students may think they'll get a day off from school or some level of fame for making a threat. Please remind your children that threats, whether serious or not, are a crime and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, as well as result in school-based discipline.

All LMSD schools will be open for in-person instruction as usual on Friday, December 17, 2021.

Sincerely,

Khalid N. Mumin, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schools

This press release was produced by Gladwyne Elementary School. The views expressed here are the author’s own.