Herndon Middle School Takes Extra Safety Precautions After Social Media Threat

HERNDON, VA — Herndon Middle School received a threat on social media Tuesday that caused the school to have an extra police presence on Wednesday. The social media post is the latest in a rash of threats against schools in Northern Virginia in recent months.

By Thursday morning, after hours of investigation, Fairfax County Public Schools, along with local police agencies, were able to determine that the social media post that caused the school to take extra precautions was a hoax, Herndon Middle School Principal Justine Klena wrote in an email to school parents Thursday morning.

“These types of actions by students, often meant as a prank or a joke, take critical resources from local authorities and school staff, and cause great disruption to our learning,” Klena wrote in the email. “Students who participate in these activities face disciplinary action under our Student Rights and Responsibilities, as well as potential criminal charges.”

Klena urged Herndon Middle School parents to speak to their children about the consequences of these types of actions on social media and to know what social media platforms they are using, "especially SnapChat, TikTok and Instagram."

Given the widespread circulation of the threatening post, the middle school decided to have a greater police presence at the school again on Thursday.

"I will speak with our students over the PA to reassure them that the school is safe," Klena wrote. Counselors and clinical staff will be at the school on Thursday to help students and staff who need assistance.

On Wednesday, the first day of school after the social media post had been widely circulated, Herndon Middle School adjusted its arrival procedures to have students go directly to classrooms with teachers rather than waiting in larger locations at the school.

Also on Tuesday, a social media post showed threats toward Farmwell Middle School in neighboring Loudoun County, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. An 18-year-old man from Fairfax was arrested and accused of posting the threats. Authorities did not specify the exact contents of the treat, but they said it included a photo of a firearm.

The rash of online threats against schools comes after a spike in harassment and intimidation by parents against school administrators, board members and teachers over the past year. The threats accompanying parental opposition to school curriculums, COVID-19 mask policies and library collections has teachers and school officials on edge in many jurisdictions across Northern Virginia.

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