Number of area schools close due to threats, nationwide TikTok challenge

CHIPPEWA COUNTY — A number of schools closed Friday after some received threats and learned about a dangerous nationwide challenge that circulated around the social media platform, TikTok.

Numerous schools as well has law enforcement have become aware of the “bring weapons to school day,” challenge which is believed to be from TikTok and encouraged students to bring knives, guns and other weapons onto school property specifically on Friday. This challenge is not localized to Michigan, Chippewa County or any area schools.

In the late evening hours on Thursday, superintendent of Sault Area Schools Amy Scott-Kronemeyer sent out a notification to the district about this matter, as well as a student threat that occurred at Sault Area Middle School earlier that morning.

“This threat is currently being investigated by Sault City Police Department,” said Scott-Kronemeyer in the message. “In addition, there is a new social media challenge on the TikTok platform that designated Friday, Dec. 17, as ‘bring weapons to school day.’ In an abundance of caution, we are not willing to risk opening our school district tomorrow."

Sault Area Schools will reopen on Monday.

JKL Bahweting School is taking the same steps to ensure the safety of its students. It was announced on the school’s Facebook page Thursday night that there would be no school Friday, as well.

“Due to notification of a written threat to a neighboring school district and notification from the BIE of a TikTok social media challenge that designated Friday, Dec. 17 as a ‘bring your weapons to school day,’ JKL Bahweting Anishnabe PSA will be closed tomorrow out of an abundance of caution,” said the post.

Principal of Rudyard Junior and Senior High School Chad Folkersma issued a letter on Thursday that encouraged parents to talk with their children about the importance of speaking up if they see something suspicious.

“Threats like these are taken seriously and parents should talk to your students about what and when they may post something,” Folkersma said in the letter. “Thank you to the parents and students that made us aware of these posts, we will continue to monitor and assess with the cooperation with local law enforcement. We need to work together to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”

Friday morning, Rudyard Area Schools announced that it was closed on Friday due to a potential threat made toward the school as well as the TikTok challenge. The recommendation to close was a joint decision between school administration and law enforcement. All school activities were canceled and staff were not allowed to enter the building until administrative approval.

Pickford Area Schools Superintendent Angela Nettleton issued a statement onto the district’s Facebook page regarding the matter. In the statement, Nettleton explained that law enforcement was aware of the TikTok challenge and advised Pickford schools that there was no credible threat to its district at the time.

“We remind all of our students and staff that if they see something, they should say something,” Nettleton said. “In the interim, we ask all parents to please speak to your children and make them aware that even the most idle threats made to schools must be taken seriously and will result in both school disciplinary and legal consequences. We want to be clear that no credible threats have been made against Pickford Public Schools or any of its students or staff. We will continue to monitor and assess the information we receive and cooperate with local law enforcement and other relevant agencies.”

Pickford Area Schools remained open.

Bob Lohff, superintendent of Les Cheneaux Community Schools, announced early Friday morning that while there was no threat directed toward Les Cheneaux Community Schools at the time, schools made the decision to close. Lohff said in the letter that the schools have been in frequent communication with law enforcement.

“Given the most recent threats across America and our region, we are taking this social media presentation seriously,” Lohff said. “Student safety is our number one priority and that will never waiver. With all that being said, school will not be in session today, Friday, Dec. 17. School will resume on Monday, Dec. 20.”

St. Mary’s School remained open but the campus was closed and outdoor recess and other outdoor activities were canceled. The elementary school also gave the option to guardians and parents of letting their children stay home for an excused absence day.

The Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District encouraged parents and guardians to have conversations with their children about the need to make good decisions and follow safety rules to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

Superintendent of Brimley Area Schools, Brian Reattoir, issued a letter to families and explained that the schools were aware of the TikTok challenge, but no threats were made towards Brimley Area Schools specifically.

"Social media is a powerful tool that is often used to influence others and not always for good," said Reattoir. "It is always important to remain calm but vigilant with these types of threats. We strongly encourage parents to speak with their children about the importance of: 'If you hear something, say something.' Threats like these are taken seriously and parents should also talk to their students about what and when they may post something."

Brimley Area Schools remained open.

— Contact News Reporter Taylor Worsham at tworsham@sooeveningnews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Number of area schools close due to threats, nationwide TikTok challenge