Quad Cities Schools Release Statement On TikTok “Nationwide School Threat Challenge”

On Thursday a new challenge was circulating on TikTok.  This challenge was focused on Friday, December 17 and called "National Shoot Up Your School Day" which was encouraging students to make threats of violence against their school.

While many schools across the country, including the Quad Cities, are getting ready to take a break for the holidays, local school districts posted and sent notes to parents on the situation.

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In a joint statement from Bettendorf, Davenport, North Scott & Pleasant Valley Community School Districts;

Our school districts recently learned of an anonymous, nationwide threat against schools that is being shared on social media outlets such as TikTok. The general threat toward all U.S. schools declares Friday, Dec. 17, as “American School Shooting Day.” The posts warn about the possibility of nationwide shootings or bomb threats associated with this day.

We are partnering with local law enforcement to investigate whether there are any local connections to these social media posts. At this time, law enforcement has not acquired any evidence that would deem these threats as credible in our area. Out of an abundance of caution, our schools will be in close contact with law enforcement throughout the day on Friday.

Please take this opportunity to talk with your student(s) about the appropriate use of social media, and the seriousness and resulting consequences of making any kind of threat. Encourage your student(s) to speak with you or an adult at school if they see or hear something so immediate action can be taken. In addition, if anyone in our community sees something suspicious, please report it to the school immediately or call local law enforcement.

We appreciate your support and partnership.

The Moline-Coal Valley schools also released a statement.

I am writing to inform you and not to alarm you. The Moline-Coal Valley School District has been made aware of a circulating TikTok post with a nationwide “school shooting and bomb threats for every school in the USA even elementary” that will supposedly take place on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. The original post is general and not directed at a specific school. So far, the origins of this post are unknown and there is no indication this post is within our district or community.

This information has been shared with our District and school administration and local law enforcement.

Please know that, in conjunction with local law enforcement, we will continue to monitor social media and provide a police presence, if the situation warrants it. Again, there have been no threats made against any specific Moline-Coal Valley Schools at this time. I am sharing this notice out of an abundance of caution and as a precautionary measure. As a reminder, tomorrow is the last day of school before winter break.

You can read the full statement from the Moline-Coal Valley schools here.