Dear Wildcat Nation,
We understand how challenging the last several weeks have been and we appreciate your continued patience and understanding. We also wanted to provide additional information regarding the most recent threat received that prompted the closing of schools through the end of this week, Friday, Dec. 17.
As soon as we learned of the threat, we immediately contacted the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and closed all our school buildings while law enforcement thoroughly investigated the threat with K-9 searches of all buildings.
The search concluded and all our buildings were cleared. Once we received the all-clear, law enforcement had still not concluded its investigation of the threat, so we made the decision to close our schools until the end of the week out of an abundance of caution. We are in daily contact with law enforcement regarding the status of the investigation. However, unfortunately, the investigation is ongoing and there is not additional information available.
Because of this, and because we heard numerous concerns from parents and staff, I decided to close schools for the remainder of this week. I realize this is disappointing to our students, families, and staff following such a successful safe and soft reopening of our DK-8 schools on Friday and the first full day of schools on Monday.
The last thing any of us want is to close our schools. We are committed to bringing our students back safely and continuing their education, and we must take every threat seriously.
We will continue to thoroughly investigate any threats, which will result in discipline up to expulsion from schools. Threats will also be reported to law enforcement and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Moving forward, we are enacting a zero-tolerance policy regarding violent content of any kind, whether in word, deed or on social media.
In addition, students who engage in threatening behavior of any kind or are found with violent images, words, or online activity either on or off school grounds, will be required to undergo a rigorous threat assessment with law enforcement personnel and mental health professionals consistent with state laws.
Please talk with your student and let them know the serious consequences for threats, inappropriate behavior or violent imagery as we will not tolerate such behaviors.
As a reminder, threats can be reported anonymously to the State of Michigan’s Okay2Say tip line at 8-555-OK2SAY or [email protected].
Since our school buildings are closed, our in-person counseling sessions have been canceled. Clinicians are still available through the Resource and Crisis Helplines at 1-800-231-1127 or MiCal at 1-844-446-4225 to set-up support. Additionally, you can call this non-emergency number, 1-248-464-6363, to set-up support. Please keep in mind being strong means reaching out for help to heal.
We will continue to keep you updated on this unfortunate situation, as well as our plans to reopen school buildings, including the high school, following holiday break.
Oxford StrOng,
Tim Throne, Superintendent