UPDATED: CCSC wants to calm fears after recent threats in nearby county

UPDATED

The Clay Community School Corporation issued a more detailed letter this morning about Wednesday's threats to three schools in Vigo County.

The Vigo County Sheriff's Office received three different school threats, including at Otter Creek Middle School, Terre Haute South High School, and Terre Haute North High School.

Terre Haute Police boosted officer presence at every school in the city on Tuesday while investigating and arresting at least three juvenile suspects.

With widespread rumors circulating on social media, Clay Community Schools officials said there were no viable threats locally and issued the first of two letters to parents.

A second, more detailed letter was issued Thursday morning.

The Brazil Times is publishing the letter to inform all parents and grandparents of what official information they currently have.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In light of recent social media activity and conversations regarding school safety, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and trust in our school community. We understand that concerns may arise when potential threats are mentioned online, and we want to assure you that we are actively monitoring the situation in partnership with our police department and relevant authorities.

At this time, there are no credible threats to our schools. To keep you informed, we wanted to share some of the reasons why the rumors circulating online are not considered credible:

Lack of Specificity: The messages are vague and do not provide any specific names, dates, or locations, which are key indicators of a credible threat.

Anonymous Sources: The statements are based on rumors without any reliable or confirmed sources.

Unsubstantiated Claims: Suggestions of large, coordinated attacks across multiple schools are logistically unlikely, and law enforcement would have detected such plans through their monitoring.

False Lockdown Claims: The claim that Northview High School was in a "secret lockdown" contradicts our procedures. Any lockdown beyond normal operations would be publicly communicated for the safety of students and staff.

No Official Alerts: A credible threat would prompt immediate communication from school officials or law enforcement, which has not occurred.

Rumor Patterns: The circulating messages follow a common pattern seen in many hoaxes designed to incite fear, lacking any factual basis.

Law Enforcement Oversight: Law enforcement has not reported any credible threats, and we are in regular communication with them regarding student safety.

We ask that you continue to support our schools by reporting any concerns directly to school staff or a School Resource Officer (SRO).

As always, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide any necessary updates. If you have any questions or come across concerning information, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school administration or our SROs.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and focused learning environment for our students.

Sincerely,

Timothy Rayle

Superintendent

.

.

.

Initial Story Wednesday 09-11-24

After an emotional scene at Otter Creek Middle School on Wednesday morning, the Clay Community School Corporation wanted to calm local families of students.

The Vigo County Sheriff's Office arrested a juvenile earlier today after an apparent threat at the Vigo County middle school.

Rumors are circulating on social media, but Clay Community Schools officials say there are no viable threats locally.

A letter was sent to The Brazil Times a few minutes ago:

Dear Clay Community Schools Families,

We are aware of recent threats in neighboring communities and across the state. Please rest assured that, at this time, no credible threats have been issued directly against Clay Community Schools. Police Chief Clarke and school administrators closely monitor the situation and will continue to evaluate all information we receive to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community.

Please remember that any information not coming directly from Clay Community Schools or local authorities should be considered unreliable. We will continue to provide updates as necessary and appreciate your support in maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.

Sincerely,

Clay Community School Corporation