Putnam City Schools Families,
As a school district, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. Recently, we have seen an increase in social media threats of violence toward public schools across the country, and we want to take a moment to address this important issue with our community.
Please know that any threat made, whether online or in person, is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by our school district and local law enforcement. The safety of our schools depends on swift, yet thorough, decisive action, and we work in partnership with local authorities to ensure that every potential threat is handled appropriately. Further, while safety is our top priority, communication is our second. As soon as information becomes available and is verified for accuracy and credibility, we will communicate with you.
We are fortunate in Putnam City Schools to have a dedicated and fully functioning Campus Police Department. These officers, security personnel, and dispatchers play a critical role in maintaining a safe environment for everyone on all of our campuses. In addition to their daily presence, our secondary schools are equipped with weapons detection systems that serve as an added layer of protection in addition to the regular safety operations of our schools. All of these systems are in place to help ensure a secure learning environment for our students and staff.
Additionally, we want to remind our families of the importance of the “See Something, Say Something” approach. We encourage all students, staff, and families to report any suspicious behavior, threats, or concerns to school administrators immediately. This proactive approach will help prevent incidents before they occur.
Lastly, in today’s digital world, social media can be both a helpful tool and a source of harm. We ask that you take a moment to speak with your student(s) about responsible social media usage, especially the serious implications of making threats or sharing inappropriate and unverified content. Not only do these actions disrupt the school environment and cause anxiety amongst our community, but they can also carry serious legal consequences.
By working together, we can maintain a safe and secure learning environment for all of our students and staff on all of our campuses. Thank you for your partnership in this effort, and your ongoing support of our District and our District’s safety.
Go Boldly,
-Putnam City Schools Administration
