Oakridge Public Schools issued the following announcement on Dec 9.
File Nine Juvelines Facing Charges
Yesterday, the Office of the Muskegon County Prosecutor authorized charges against nine juvenile offenders for a variety of threats made involving local schools, including Oakridge. You probably have a picture in your mind of a criminal who might post threats stoking fear in students, staff, and families. I’m here to tell you that your assumed picture is wrong. The kids range from straight-A honor roll students to kids who have frequent discipline referrals. Their ages were 12-14 years old. The parents of these kids range from highly successful professionals to broken homes of abuse. If you think you know the profile of someone who would spread unsubstantiated threats, you don’t. I’ve been shocked to find out in these investigations that some parents don’t even know their kids have a Snapchat account on their phones. Some parents were advocating on social media that law enforcement and the schools need to punish those responsible for these threats only to find out it was their own child. Then, they were devastated and pleading for mercy.
Community, we have a problem! Please consider this message very seriously! Parents, please monitor your child’s cell phone, computer, and access to social media. Kids are not prepared to navigate the world of social media alone. Social media is wreaking havoc on the mental health of our children. Kids don’t like to be parented as they grow up. You are not prying into your child’s personal life. You are parenting them, loving them, and caring for their future.
Now is the time to tell your children directly about the consequences of posting or even sharing threats on social media. Tell them not to share threats on social media. Tell them, under no circumstances, will law enforcement or the school consider this to be a joke. Saying you didn’t mean it, or you were just letting your friends know, is not an acceptable excuse. Sharing or posting unsubstantiated threats is a crime. Kids or parents should report such threats to law enforcement or Ok2Say (anonymous tip line).
Oakridge Public Schools is practicing what we are preaching. Tomorrow, I have invited Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson to speak with all students in grades 6-12 on the topic of “Navigating the World of Social Media”. He will help students understand the consequences and impact of unlawful activity on social media. We will be recording the presentation and sharing it with parents next week. I encourage parents to watch it and reinforce this topic with their children.
Every parent of the nine students mentioned is likely wishing they had followed this advice.
Families, we’re in this together. Our kids need support and guidance from caring adults and we all need to do our part.
Thank you for your partnership,
Sincerely,
Tom Livezey
Superintendent
