Saline MI
12-03-2021 2:35am

Saline School Administrators, Police Find No Credible Threat, Open Saline High School Friday

In the wake of the murders at Oxford High School, social media rumors of copycat threats have convinced school district leaders to cancel classes throughout Southeast Michigan.

Michigan Radio reported more than 60 school districts canceled classes Thursday. Mlive reported Ann Arbor Public Schools has canceled classes for Dec. 3. Ann Arbor Superintendent Jeanice Swift, in an email to the district. 

As of Thursday evening, classes are planned at Saline High School, according to a letter sent by Principal David Raft.

"We have been working throughout the day and evening with the Pittsfield Department of Public Safety, Saline Police Department, Washtenaw County Sheriff, and our local FBI to investigate any rumors of specific threats to any of the schools within our District. This also extends to our athletic and arts programs as well. At this time, we have determined that none of these rumors are credible," Raft wrote. "As a result, Saline Area Schools will open tomorrow and will continue to monitor and collaborate with our law enforcement entities."

Despite the district's decision, some parents are talking about keeping their children home Friday.

"This week is just too much, definitely too close to home. Let's approach next week and wait to see if this settles down," wrote Erin Schaible in the Saline Posts Facebook group, adding that she was keeping her daughter home. 

Several parents said they were doing the same. Dawn Ducca said she thought Friday might make a good "mental health day."

Bekka Dauer said her daughter came home from school today scared and with bad anxiety because of the rumored threats.

"(This is) beyond upsetting. I want my kids to be in school every day, but not at the cost of their mental health," Dauer wrote.

In Swift's email to her community, she wrote that no threats to Ann Arbor Schools have proved credible. Still, the district elected to cancel classes to allow law enforcement to investigate.

"While these posts have not been determined to be credible at this time, the volume is quite high," Swift wrote.

In the letter, Swift also writes that many school districts are seeing identical threats - images with changed school names. 

"Across the region, school districts are dealing with similar reports from students and parents, often identical images with only the school name changed. Be assured we take every threat seriously and work with local law enforcement to investigate," Swift wrote.

In a statement, the Washtenaw Superintendents' Association said that threats are illegal and urged parents to talk to children about the seriousness of making or sharing threats. They also asked parents to tell students to report threats.

"Every threat, no matter how big or small, is illegal and investigated by schools and law enforcement. Threats against the safety of our schools are never a joke, and law enforcement and school leaders will take action to protect our community, including and up to prosecution. We ask all families to speak with their students about the seriousness of making or sharing threats, and report any threats seen on social media," the statement said.

They asked people to use the confidential OK2Say platform for reporting.

(Submit a tip online, call 855-565-2729, text 652729, email OK2SAY@mi.gov or download and use the app for iPhone or Android)

Here is the full letter from Washtenaw Superintendents' Association.

After the tragedy at Oxford High School this week, the Washtenaw Superintendents’ Association (WSA) is issuing a statement out of care and concern for our collective school community. The WSA represents the superintendents of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and the nine public school districts in Washtenaw County: Ann Arbor Public Schools, Chelsea School District, Dexter Community Schools, Lincoln Consolidated Schools, Manchester Community Schools, Milan Area Schools, Saline Area Schools, Whitmore Lake Public Schools and Ypsilanti Community Schools. Their statement reads:

As education leaders of the nine public school districts in Washtenaw County, our hearts continue to ache for the Oxford community as they grieve at this time. Our schools are special communities that should spark inspiration and cultivate the joy of learning, and this tragic act of violence shakes our foundation, especially given its close proximity to home.

Over the last 48 hours, schools across Southeast Michigan have seen a drastic increase in the number of potential threats of violence reported to them and to law enforcement authorities. Just this morning, the WSA collectively met with the police chiefs of Washtenaw County and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.

Every threat, no matter how big or small, is illegal and investigated by schools and law enforcement. Threats against the safety of our schools are never a joke, and law enforcement and school leaders will take action to protect our community, including and up to prosecution. We ask all families to speak with their students about the seriousness of making or sharing threats, and report any threats seen on social media, through text messages or other platforms to authorities through the statewide confidential reporting tool OK2SAY:

In addition to educating students, ensuring our schools are safe is our number one priority. Washtenaw County schools have close relationships with all of our law enforcement agencies and have worked together for many years behind the scenes to keep our schools safe. This includes consultation on Emergency Operations Plans and safety infrastructure and technology, partnering on grants from the Michigan State Police to secure additional safety-related resources and technology, annual county-wide coordination meetings, and regular safety planning for individual school districts. The Washtenaw Intermediate School District and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office provides ALICE training for all school employees in our county throughout every school year, and while we hope this training never needs to be used, it is a protocol we must always be prepared for.

We also understand that reactions to this tragedy look and feel different for every student and adult, and you may notice changes in the behaviors of those around you as we collectively grieve, reflect and react. Help and support is available to you and your family:

  • Here are tips and an infographic for parents, guardians and caregivers on talking with your student about violence from the National Association of School Psychologists.
  • For younger children, Sesame Street provides these resources on violence and trauma.
  • Washtenaw County’s Community Mental Health 24/7 Crisis Line:
    • Call (734) 544-3050
  • Ozone House’s Youth Emergency Services and 24/7 Crisis Line:
    • Call (734) 662-2222
    • Text “Ozone” to (734) 662-2222 Monday-Thursday 10:00 am-5:00 pm and Friday 10:00 am-4:00 pm
    • Click here to chat Monday-Thursday 10:00 am-5:00 pm and Friday 10:00 am-4:00 pm.

Additional resources are available to your school district, including expanded crisis and clinical mental health support thanks to our community’s Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage.

We are deeply saddened that these events continue to touch our schools, and we will do everything in our power to prioritize the safety of our students, staff and families. We continue to lean on the close relationships and clear channels of communication we have among our school districts and law enforcement authorities to keep our schools safe together. Our schools will continue to keep you informed through individual district communications, and as always, thank you for your understanding and support of our school community.

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