This message was shared with families of Chesterfield County Public Schools students on Sept. 13, 2024.
Dear families and students of Chesterfield County Public Schools
This is an important safety message for students, parents and family members. Please review and discuss it over the weekend.
Our schools have experienced several copycat threats since the Georgia shooting tragedy. We take every potential threat seriously as keeping schools safe is a top priority. Foremost, I wish to acknowledge, and as the parent of two CCPS students myself, how such events and threats promote a sense of fear and may create an absence of trust. As such, our staff do not take lightly the responsibility of ensuring each child and staff member’s safety.
When a threat is made online, in person, or in any other manner, our schools immediately connect with the Chesterfield Police Department, which investigates to determine who made the threat and whether or not that person plans to act on their threat.
Law enforcement investigations are serious. Even if something is said in a joking manner, there can be significant consequences for students and others who threaten violence — even if they do not really mean it. Students have been suspended, expelled and prosecuted for threatening violence.
Parents, please talk with your children about the power of words, the pitfalls of social media, and the importance of thinking carefully before posting or saying anything involving bombs, guns or other violence at school. I ask that you also reinforce their understanding that schools will not look the other way or tolerate any threats.
Because school safety is a top priority, Chesterfield County Public Schools remains on alert year-round.
Each school has a comprehensive safety plan that includes regular fire drills, tornado drills and lockdown drills so that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency.
Each school also has a threat assessment team trained to evaluate potential problems and respond appropriately.
Middle and high schools have school resource officers, who are police officers trained to work in schools. In addition, Chesterfield County Public Schools employs security officers in every elementary, middle and high school.
Multiple safety measures are built into our school buildings. This includes indoor and outdoor cameras; front doors that stay locked until visitors are buzzed in; and computerized checks of visitor IDs. Additionally, within the next few weeks, enclosed vestibule areas that restrict visitors to the front office will be completed at the remaining four schools.
These are just some of the ways we protect students and staff members. We are all partners in efforts to keep schools safe. So if you see something, then say something. If you know something, then make sure someone at your school knows it too. Thank you to all who have reached out over the past several days and for encouraging your children to do likewise.
We want our students to achieve the bright futures they are capable of. Every day, most of our 64,000 students make good choices, do what is right and move forward to achieve success. They are and represent the true story of Chesterfield County Public Schools.
Thank you for your support, as partnership is only achieved by a shared sense of togetherness as we seek to ensure each and every school and classroom are safe and positive environments.
Respectfully,
Dr. John Murray
Interim Superintendent