Several Grissom Middle School students suspended for alleged 'substantive threat'
The principal of Grissom Middle School sent a letter to parents Tuesday after discovering a group of students who had a list of students they didn't like and the methods they wanted to use to harm or kill the students, the letter said.
The students were chatting about the list using Google Chat on Tuesday.
Principal Jean Milfort said the district's safety director was immediately notified and began an investigation.
The principal said in the letter, "this was a substantive threat."
The school resource officer was also notified about the incident.
It remains under investigation and police will determine the credibility of the alleged threats.
All parents and guardians of students involved have been contacted. The students have also been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Full text of the letter
DEAR GRISSOM PARENT/GUARDIAN,
This letter is to inform you that today (Tuesday, Oct. 12th) during the school day a group of students were discovered discussing via Google Chat a list of students they didn’t like and the methods they wanted to use to harm/kill the students.
P-H-M Safety Director Mike Seger was notified immediately and worked with myself and other members of the Grissom administrative staff on the investigation. It was determined that this was a substantive threat.
Our School Resource Officer was also contacted. This matter is currently under investigation and further determination as to the credibility will be determined with police involvement for the safety of all. All parents/guardians of students involved have been contacted by the school administration. The students have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
The safety of your child is a top priority for Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. We take these matters very seriously, responding immediately with the appropriate action. Threats that jeopardize the safety of others and disrupt the school’s safe and peaceful learning environment are a violation of the Code of Conduct in the P-H-M Middle School Student Handbook and any students will be disciplined accordingly.
Please take the opportunity to talk with your child about school safety and remind them to report any unsafe behavior or situation to an adult … see something, say something!
P-H-M utilizes the Safe School Helpline® as a confidential way to report student concerns about look-alike or real weapons, bullying or anything else that threatens the safety of our schools. It is Available 24/7/365 via the app, phone, text or online:
Download the Safe School Helpline® app
Click to get it from the App Store or Click to get it from Google Play
Call: 1-800-418-6423 ext 359
Text: TIPS to 614-426-0240
Online: SafeSchoolHelpline.com
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Respectfully yours,
Jean Milfort, Principal