Notice About Social Media Threats
Dear School District of Philadelphia Families,
While the School District of Philadelphia nor any specific schools are directly named, we have
received reports of threats circulating on social media platforms, including WhatsApp,
encouraging violence “against Brazilian students in schools on Thursday, April 20.”
Please know that we take each and every threat directed toward our schools and members of
our school communities very seriously. Our Office of School Safety works with law enforcement
agencies to closely monitor the situation, actively assess any threats to our schools, and
respond immediately as needed to help keep our schools, students, and staff safe. This could
include additional safety resources being placed in and around schools. Our principals and
school staff also become extra vigilant to help identify anything that may be out of the ordinary.
Maintaining the safe school environments our students and staff deserve takes all of us working
together. Here’s how you can help:
● If you hear or read about any immediate threat of violence in your child’s school, please
call 911.
● Non-immediate information can be shared with school leaders or the Office of School
Safety by calling 215-400-6000 or emailing schoolsafety@philasd.org. Individuals can
also submit an anonymous tip by calling 215-400-SAFE.
● Talk to your child about the role they play in helping keep students safe and the
importance of letting you know when they learn of any threats of violence at school.
Posting threatening language on social media is not taken lightly. While incidents like this may
seem like a funny prank, these are federal and state offenses that can lead to criminal charges
and disciplinary action and anyone who engages in these acts will be held accountable.
Supporting the safety and well-being of our students and staff is one of our most important
shared responsibilities. By working together, we can help deter these threats and the emotional
impact they cause so our schools can continue to focus on helping our students thrive.
Sincerely,
The Office of School Safety
Portuguese and Spanish Translations are linked below:
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